U Sports, which is changing the course of its age restriction rule, is opening the door for players to complete their fifth year of eligibility.
The Vanier Cup and the two Bowl games that served as the semifinals were cancelled due to the recent times.
The Canada West, Ontario and Atlantic conferences will not be making football plans this fall, while the Quebec RSEQ plans to start college sports in September.
Football is the only Canadian varsity sport with an age cap. Players who turn 25 September ago. 1″ age out.”
The goal of the rule is to avoid big differences between players in terms of body maturation and experience, and to make room for young players in the lists.
U Sports said no student athletes whose national championships will be canceled in would lose a year of eligibility, but football’s age cap forced that scenario on dozens of players.
Many of those entering their fifth and final year of this canceled season will get older before they can play.
U Sports said earlier this month that it would not be moving to its age limit, much to the chagrin of the 300 or so players involved and their coaches.
However, the Organization changed its position on Monday and said the football age eligibility rule would be revised in order to change it.
“The Board of Directors has authorized us to review the revision of the regulations on the current age limit of football in something that still serves the purpose, but is not as vulnerable to challenges as the current rule,” Dick White, acting general manager of U Sports, told the Canadian Press.
“The important part was that we had to have a long-term strategy to manage the age limit. Not just a short-term dressing.
“While we are doing this work, a housing has been created for our Terminology”the 300″, who are the people who would be most affected in the season, hopefully. A slot has been made for you to play.”
Quarterback Josiah Joseph of the defending Vanier Cup Champion Calgary Dinos says it’s a welcome development for him and other players in his situation. Joseph will turn 25 on July 10.
“A big weight has been taken off my shoulders,” the Quarterback said. “I’m sure everyone in my Position feels the same relief that we could be back with our teams in to lead and lead them.
“It was an emotional roller coaster ride. A little unnecessary, but I’m just glad they finally made the right decision and allowed us to play.”
Depending on your date of birth, according to the current rule, subclasses could also participate in the recent times for a year.
“We’re aware of the dilemma these (players) are in, but their dilemma is longer-term and we think we can fix it,” White said.
White acknowledged that lobbying from member institutions and “cordial” letters from athletes were factors that prompted the Board to revise football’s age cap after Friday night.
The revision is expected to be completed By February.
“It wasn’t just about getting involved in a short-term need,” White explained.
“What the lawful Opinion has told us is that if we show that we are willing to make exceptions, we could pile a whole bunch of people out the door and ask for exceptions to the age rule. We didn’t want to.
“The lawful Opinion has focused on how we currently manage the age cap, that’s why we are looking at another model that may not indicate age, but rather deals with a specific period during which you have to play football.”
