Message sent on behalf of Drew Love, Executive Director, Athletics and Recreation
TO: ALL COACHES – LEVEL I, II, CLUBS
STUDENTS LEADERS
McGill Athletics and Recreation realigns its sports programs
Athletics and Recreation vows to provide students opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity within an inclusive environment that values health, well-being, and fairplay. We strive to instill within our community the values of academic and sporting excellence along with the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle.
Varsity sports is an integral part of this mission, bringing both recognition and a sense of pride to the University. It also serves as an important component of student life for individuals with the skill and desire to play sport at a competitive level.
While McGill has always maintained a philosophy of inclusion, we currently sponsor the greatest number of varsity teams among Canadian universities, supporting a varsity team demands considerable resources, both financial and managerial.
With the current economic climate, university athletic programs across North America are being retooled to reflect the reality of leaner budgets. McGill is no exception. With an estimated cut of $145,000 to the intercollegiate program, McGill’s current varsity structure has been realigned to ensure that we can remain competitive within this new economic reality.
The result is a decision to support excellence within a more limited number of high performance varsity teams while at the same time making funding and resources more broad-based within the next two tiers of varsity teams and non-varsity competitive clubs. To qualify for funding all teams must have a competitive mission and fall within an established set of criteria.
The highlights of this new structure are as follows:
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Greater financial support and better resources for our level one varsity teams who are defined by their high level of competitiveness, degree of spectator and media interest, ability to generate revenue through ticket and concession sales and high profile within the national university sport model (CIS). -
A redistribution of funds to our level two varsity teams to better reflect the goals and achievements of this group. This allows for the pursuit of competitive goals but without the extent of support required for athletes competing at the highest of performance levels. Funds will be allocated based on performance and other criteria that foster competitive success. -
Competitive clubs now fall under the umbrella of Campus Recreation and are eligible to apply for small annual stipends for start up or other related costs. Funds will be distributed to those clubs who meet the competitive criteria.
Level 1 - High Performance Varsity Teams- Fully Funded
(Criteria - must play in a recognized university league with a national championship, hold competitive try outs and have a certified full-time coach, a sustainable organizational structure and alumni support.
Basketball (M/W)
Football (M)
Ice Hockey (M/W)
Soccer (M/W)
Swimming (M/W)
Volleyball (W)
Level 2 - Competitive Varsity Teams - Partially Funded
(Criteria - must compete in a recognized university league with a championship sanctioned by an official university sport governing body, hold competitive tryouts and have a certified coach and a sustainable organizational structure)
Alpine Ski (M/W)
Badminton (M/W)
Baseball (M)
Cross Country (M/W)
Field Hockey (W)
Golf (M/W)
Lacrosse (M)
Rowing (M/W)
Rugby (M/W)
Synchronized Swimming (W)
Track& Field (M/W)
Woodsmen (M/W)
Level 3 - Non-Varsity Competitive Clubs - Self-funded with grants
(Criteria - must play in a recognized competitive league or invitational tournaments, must have a coach (can also be a player) and a sustainable organizational structure)
Cheerleading (M/W)
Curling (M/W)
Cycling (M/W)
Fencing (M/W)
Figure Skating (M/W)
Lacrosse (W)
Nordic Ski (M/W)
Sailing (M/W)
Squash (M/W)
Tennis (M/W)
Ultimate (M/W)
Volleyball (M)