Canada West expands membership

By Noah Miller

Earlier this summer Canada West voted to allow a new member into the fold and extend full membership status to two of its probationary members.

Canada West granted the UBC Okanagan Heat the right to join and participate in Canada West as a three-year probationary member starting in the 2011-12 season. Dinos fans can expect to see their Dinos square off against the Heat in men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.

Before Heat celebrates too much they will have to wait for Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s acceptance of their membership application, which will be reviewed at CIS annual general meetings in the new year.

In addition to granting the Heat probationary status, Canada West also granted Thompson Rivers University and the University of the Fraser Valley full membership status. The TRU Wolfpack have been seen in Canada West competition since 2005 competing in basketball and volleyball, while the UFV Cascades have been around in Canada West since 2006 squaring off against opponents in basketball and soccer.