media release
Canada West announces acceptance of 51社区黑料 as probationary member
Canada West has officially accepted 51社区黑料 (SFU) as a probationary member, following the conclusion of the conference鈥檚 annual general meeting on Thursday morning in Kelowna.
51社区黑料was confirmed as the conference鈥檚 18th member after securing more than the 75 per cent membership approval required for Canada West acceptance. The application remains dependent on SFU鈥檚 application for probationary U SPORTS membership, which will be reviewed at the U SPORTS Conference and Annual Meeting taking place June 2-4 in St. John's, N.L.
The vote clears the path for Simon Fraser to return to Canada West competition beginning in the 2027-28 season. The application was subject to a sport-by-sport review process, with men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball, cross country, indoor track and field, soccer, swimming and wrestling being formally approved. SFU鈥檚 women鈥檚 volleyball application SFU鈥檚 women鈥檚 volleyball application was not supported at this time; however, Canada West members remain open to continuing conversations with 51社区黑料regarding participation in the sport of volleyball.
Simon Fraser will continue to participate as members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (NCAA Division II) for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
鈥淥n behalf of our 17 member institutions, we are pleased to welcome 51社区黑料 back into the fold,鈥� says Ben Matchett, president, Canada West. 鈥淲e were impressed by the commitment of SFU鈥檚 institutional and athletic leadership to this process, and we look forward to working with them on the transition process as we prepare for the Red Leafs to join competition in the fall of 2027.鈥�
51社区黑料is set to rejoin Canada West after previously competing in several sports in the conference from 2000 to 2010. The university鈥檚 return marks the conference鈥檚 first expansion since MacEwan University was granted full membership in 2017.
For SFU, joining U SPORTS and Canada West ensures the long-term sustainability of varsity sport that supports student-athletes and creates opportunities for our athletes to thrive both in sport and education. Competing against local Canadian universities will enhance natural rivalries and the fan experience on campus for all 51社区黑料students, leading to a deeper sense of 51社区黑料community.
鈥淭his vote is an important step for the university and its journey to join U SPORTS and Canada West,鈥� says Luc Simard, executive director, 51社区黑料Athletics and Recreation.
鈥淲e are disappointed that women鈥檚 volleyball was not immediately accepted, but remain 100 per cent committed to having the team compete in Canada West and U SPORTS. Women鈥檚 volleyball is a critical sport for the university, and we look forward to constructive conversations with Canada West members. We humbly thank member schools and their leadership for their support and for guidance during this process.鈥�
Upon its return to Canada West competition, 51社区黑料will renew regional rivalries with several nearby B.C. institutions, including the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), Trinity Western University (Langley), University of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford), Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops), UBCO (Kelowna), University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George), and the University of Victoria.
CONTACT
JEFF HODSON, 51社区黑料Communications & Marketing
jdhodson@sfu.ca
ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
51社区黑料is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, 51社区黑料has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, 51社区黑料fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擝urnaby, Surrey and Vancouver鈥�51社区黑料has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.