April 2025
With the recent announcements of the University’s financial landscape, and report on budget planning, an internal review of Brock Sports and Recreation’s organized sport model delivery was conducted.
The updated model is aimed at clearly defining service delivery for each team while ensuring the most efficient use of resources.
The model will recognize organized sport activities in three streams as follows: Varsity, Sports Clubs, and Intramurals.
Varsity Sport Clubs teams will remain sanctioned by the University and eligible to compete at the OUA level and access U SPORTS/national championships. Services to these teams include administrative support, membership to the OUA and governing sport bodies, academic compliance monitoring and travel facilitation. Varsity Sport Clubs teams will also have access to sport medicine, sport performance and Brock athletic facilities.
While all three streams will continue to be required to raise operational funds to support their activities, a majority of Sport Clubs will be entirely self-funded either through fundraising or student-athlete fees.
This model will be in effect for at least three years, until the 2028-29 season.
In that time, Brock Sports and Recreation, like units across the University, will continue working to identify revenue generating opportunities, such as the recently launched Brock Sport Medicine Clinic located at Canada Game Park.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is Brock Sports & Recreation changing its sport model?
With the recent announcements of the University’s financial landscape, and report on budget planning; an internal review of Brock Sports & Recreation’s sport model delivery was required to ensure alignment with available operational funding and resources.
What has changed in this updated sport model?
The largest change is the addition of Varsity Sport Clubs to the Sport Clubs’ stream. A majority of Varsity Sport Clubs including baseball, cross country, curling fencing, figure skating, golf, softball, squash, tennis, track and field, like Competitive Sport Clubs, will be self-funded.
Will students have to pay to participate in organized sport at Brock?
All students involved in organized sport at Brock have fees associated with participation. The fee amount will vary by sport. All associated costs will be communicated to student-athletes prior to the start of their season.
What is the difference between the Varsity and Sport Clubs streams?
While both streams are required to raise operational funds to support their activities, most Sport Varsity Clubs will be entirely self-funded.
What is the difference between the Varsity Sport Clubs and Competitive Sport Clubs?
Varsity Sport Clubs are eligible to compete in OUA competition and can access U SPORTS/national championships. Student-athletes must meet compliance requirements to participate. Competitive Sport Clubs do not have the same eligibility requirements.
What happens if a student-athlete cannot pay to play in sport?
Every organized sports team at Brock will have the opportunity to raise funds to reduce the costs for student-athlete participation.
Why was it necessary to refer to these programs as Varsity Sports Clubs?
The new nomenclature aligns with the services and funding provided by Brock Sports and Recreation.
If the financial landscape changes again, will there be additional changes to the sport model again?
The updated model will be in effect for at least three years, until the 2028-29 season.
