MUN Sea-Hawks prepare for rebound season with Atlantic University Sport eyeing fall return

After the 2020-21 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Memorial University Sea-Hawks are preparing to take flight.

On Wednesday,Atlantic University Sport the organization representing 11 Atlantic Canadian universities announced its intentions to hold a full 2021-22 season beginning in September withfootball, soccer, rugby and cross-country competition.

Winter sports, including basketball, are expected to follow, according to an AUS media release.

For MUN's women's basketball head coach Mark English, it's an exciting moment and another step toward normalcy.

"It was pretty exciting to see that release come out today, to get that assurance that next year is good to go, especially after this past year," English told CBC News.

"It was a very unique situation that everybody was in across the country, not just the AUS."

Plans for a fall 2021 return to sport were unanimously supported at a recent meeting of the AUS board of directors, according to the organization, which is made up ofthe presidents of each of its 11 member universities acrossAtlantic Canada.

According to the AUS, progess was made during virtual annualmeetings earlier in June on finalizing schedules and return-to-play plans. The mandatewas to develop a strategy that would allow a safereturn to competition. The plan also includes guidelines for participants and facilities, travel considerations, risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans, and possible approaches to programming.

English said MUN's women's basketball team is in a fortunate place ahead of next season with none of its players set to graduate yet and therefore not missing out on another year on the court.

"I know some programs around the country have had that, where fifth-years that are graduating can't play their final season," English said.

"So we're fortunate for that. I think it's just a big sigh of relief that we're getting back to some normal sport and what we've been used to for the last number of years."

The AUS said its return-to-sport plan was reviewed by public health officials in the four Atlantic provinces, as well as the AUSboard of directors. The organization said the plan isbeing updated and will be "pivotal to the conference's return to play in the 2021-22 season."

The plan hinges on public health directives, whichwill determine the approach for next season. Competitioncould be altered or cancelled in there are new or worsening outbreaks of COVID-19in any of the Atlantic provinces, said the AUS.

"As a department we're extremely excited to have this news come out. Talking to the other coaches in the department, we're just excited to keep moving forward and getting back on the court," English said.

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