(Cornwall, Ont. – January 23, 2009) The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) recently held its 2009 Winter Board of Directors meeting January 13-15 in Ottawa. Although, the weather was frosty and cold outside, the meeting was warm and welcoming with information being gathered and ideas being sharing among the participating delegates.

Highlights include:

Governance

• The CCAA’s new strategic plan is in its final stages of approval. A three-year plan which is a culmination of the last 18 months feedback from all CCAA stakeholders was presented to the Board. I revised copy will be circulated to all members for approval at the 2009 AGM.
• Appeal procedure restructuring feedback was gathered and a motion will be developed for the 2009 AGM.
• Simultaneous interpretation was discussed and received unanimous approval. The CCAA will provide simultaneous interpretation (French & English) at the CCAA AGM.

Eligibility

• In-depth discussions were held surrounding successful academic eligibility. Continued dialogue with conferences eligibility representative will occur with a motion to be presented at the 2009 Annual General Meeting.
• Drug Testing & Education Program – There was a discussion surrounding the amount of testing performed in CCAA sports. Members would like to see more random testing and members agreed that the option for a group presentation and/or individual completion on the on-line learning course is beneficial.
• The CCAA adopted the 2009 Canadian Anti-doping Program that will replace the current anti-doping program that the CCAA adopted on June 1, 2004.

Programs

• 2009/2010 National and/or Open Championships hosts accepted.
• St. Clair College – Golf (October 13-16, 2009)
• Cégep de l’Outaouais – Women’s Volleyball (March 12-14, 2010)
• MacEwan College – Men’s Volleyball (March 11-13, 2010)
• Sait Polytechnic – Men’s Basketball (March 18-20, 2010)
• University of British Columbia Okanagan – Women’s Basketball (March 17-20, 2010)
• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – Badminton (March 3-6, 2010)
• Conference Hosting confirmations for Fall 2010: Soccer (ACAC)
• Letters of intent to host have been received by Durham College for golf 2010 and by St. Thomas University for cross country running 2010.
• The following bids must be submitted by May 1, 2009: 2010 Men’s and Women’s Soccer, 2010 Cross County Running, 2010 Golf.
• Motions regarding rankings and Coach of the Year awards for Golf and Cross Country Running have been deferred to the 2009 AGM.
• Flexible dates for hosting were approved. Potential hosts have been given the flexibility at the time of bid presentation to choose either a Saturday finals or a Sunday finals format.
• Men’s and Women’s Soccer Nationals date for 2010 have been changed to November 10-13 to take into account the later start date of member institutions in 2010.
• Various sport development updates, including the Female Apprentice Coach Program, the CCAA Coaches Professional Development Program, CIS/CCAA partnership and Manitoba Membership were discussed.

Marketing

• Motion to revise the CCAA Scoreboard procedure was discussed and deferred to Spring A.G.M.
• Sport Canada is a major funding partner to the CCAA. Funding agreement in place until 2011.
• Big Kahuna Sports Company in conjunction with adidas is the title sponsor of the CCAA National Soccer Championships. Big Kahuna is the Official souvenir supplier of Soccer Nationals and preferred retailer of the CCAA. They are also a Marketing Incentive Program (MIP) Partner. Agreement to in place until 2012.
• Adidas is the official soccer ball of the CCAA (Euro 2008). Agreement to in place until 2012.
• WestJet in the CCAA preferred Air Carrier with an agreement in place to June 2009.
• Sports Information Resource Centre (SIRC) is title Sponsor of the SIRC – CCAA Academic All Canadian Awards. Agreement in place until 2011.
• Black Knight is the official badminton equipment supplier to the CCAA. The official shuttlecock is the SH6800 A. They are an MIP partner and their agreement is in place until 2010.
• Baden is the official volleyball of the CCAA (men: 15-0CM/women: Perfection VX5EC) and an MIP partner. Agreement in place until 2011.
• Ping is title sponsor of the CCAA Golf Open Championships and title of the CCAA golf Fair Play award. Agreement is in place until 2010. TFG/Spalding is the official basketball of the CCAA (Spalding TF1000 ZK pro) and an MIP partner. Agreement in place until 2011.
• Jostens Canada is a new partner as the Official Ring supplier of the CCAA Championships awards banquet. Supplying rings to Player and Coach of the year recipients in all CCAA sports. Agreement in place until 2011.
• Sportag is a branding, promotion merchandise supplier and a new MIP Partner of the CCAA. Agreement in place until 2011.

Finance and Administration

• 2008-2009 Budget was reviewed and met with approval as expenses were in track with proposed budget.
• Currently the CCAA is under budget in the predicted Travel Equalization as a result of the rebated West Jet fuel surcharges.
• The new CCAA Coordinator of Marketing Position will be filled by February 9. 2009 CCAA Annual General Meeting will be held from June 7 to 11 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Please note: The 2009 CCAA Winter Board Meeting minutes will be available on the CCAA website.

The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association is a national sport organization that enriches the lives of student-athletes through intercollegiate competition. For more information, please contact: Colette Struthers CCAA Communications and Events Coordinator Tel: 613.933.6080 ext. 2211/ Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it