The Brock Badgers are back.<\/p>\n
The Badgers are one step closer to returning to the field after Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced its fall sports schedule for the 2021-22 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re prioritizing the health and safety of our student-athletes as we make our return to sport,\u201d said Melissa Krist, Director, Brock Sports. \u201cBrock University is committed to fully supporting our student-athletes on and off the field as we align with provincial health guidelines. We\u2019re excited to have our Badgers back on campus and one step closer to competing in university sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Health and safety protocols will be communicated in the near future as all home athletic events must comply with evolving provincial and Brock University guidelines.<\/p>\n
Winter schedules for rugby and soccer were released by the OUA on Wednesday, June 30, with basketball, hockey and volleyball schedules expected to be announced on Wednesday, July 7.<\/p>\n
The OUA, which cancelled the 2020-21 fall and winter sports seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic, designed this new season with health and safety in mind.<\/p>\n
The governing body reduced regular season schedules, leaning toward regional matchups and putting a cap on exhibition games.<\/p>\n
Training camps begin on Saturday, Sept. 4, to co-ordinate with academic semester start dates.<\/p>\n
The Brock women\u2019s rugby team returns to the OUA\u2019s top tier group \u2014 the Shiels Division \u2014 with a four-game schedule alongside Queen\u2019s, Guelph, McMaster and York. The Badgers begin their regular season at Brock Alumni Field versus Queen\u2019s on Saturday, Sept. 25.<\/p>\n
The men\u2019s rugby regular season schedule was reduced from six games to four as schools will play opponents only in their division. The West Division consists of Brock, Guelph, Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier, Western and Waterloo. The Badgers begin their 2021 campaign at home versus Western on Saturday, Sept. 25.<\/p>\n
The Brock men\u2019s and women\u2019s soccer teams begin their respective seasons on the road in London against Western on Friday, Sept. 24. The Badgers play five matches at home this year, starting with Western on Sunday, Sept. 26.<\/p>\n
In order to reduce travel, a third soccer division, Central, was added by the OUA for both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s leagues. However, the Badgers remain in the West Division alongside Guelph, Waterloo, Western, Wilfrid Laurier and Windsor.<\/p>\n
The OUA Championships for cross country, baseball, golf, tennis and women\u2019s lacrosse will be held as single-day events and announced at a later date. Schools will compete in regional qualifiers leading up to the championships.<\/p>\n
The OUA Rowing Championships will be condensed from a two-day event into a single day this fall.<\/p>\n