Seeking to improve the competitiveness and success of teams, provide gender equity, and continue to offer a quality student athlete experience, Trent University’s varsity program will undergo significant and exciting changes for the upcoming 2013/14 season and beyond.
Based on findings and recommendations from a series of recent internal and external sport reviews coordinated by the Department of Athletics, and in partnership with the University, the varsity line-up will be reduced from 19 to 17 men’s and women’s teams, with the elimination of two co-ed teams and the addition of two women’s teams. This change will meet the demand for gender equity, increase competitiveness in sports for which Trent is known to have success, and help build a more sustainable funding model for the program, with the introduction of self-funded teams.
“Currently, Trent offers more varsity teams than many larger institutions and financially we do not resource our program as we would like. As a result, we are moving some teams to a self-funded model. We are also looking at restructuring our program in sports that are the best fit for Trent,” said Bill Byrick, director of Athletics. “We want to provide the best possible quality experience for our student athletes and that includes being competitive and being in the hunt for championships.”
Changes to the varsity team line-up for the upcoming season include the elimination of fencing and swimming, the introduction of two self-funded women’s teams in lacrosse and golf, and the transition of cross country running and men’s golf to the self-funded team model.
“We reviewed a number of criteria for all varsity sports, including cost, number of athletes, past success, impact on facility use, potential for future success, and more. Based on these criteria we made our decision,” said Mr. Byrick. “This review is really the first step as we will continue to review varsity sport annually. Varsity should be an elite sport activity and with a more successful varsity program comes a number of benefits for the University as a whole, including attracting top student-athletes to Trent, and providing more student support in academics, strength and conditioning, scholarships and coaching. The end results will be enhancing opportunities for student success academically and athletically, as well as Trent fielding winning teams and capturing more provincial and national championship titles.”
The 2013/14 varsity team line-up will include men’s and women’s teams in rowing, rugby, soccer, volleyball and curling, as well as men’s lacrosse, and self-funded varsity clubs in men’s and women’s cross-country running and golf, and women’s lacrosse.
In addition to changes in varsity, the Department of Athletics will also be introducing enhancements to the University’s club sport and award-winning campus recreation programs. Building on Trent’s philosophy of “Sport for All,” these programs, which are offered at both the competitive and non-competitive level, will provide a breadth of sport and recreation opportunities for all students, no matter their interest or skill level.
“We are excited about the future of Trent Athletics,” Mr. Byrick said. “With the ongoing commitment and support from our student athletes and coaches, as well as our staff and supporters, we look forward to enhancing our varsity program and expanding athletics and recreation opportunities for all.”
Posted on Friday, May 3, 2013.