Université Laval has obtained the green light from U Sports to present a football tournament in May bringing together six of the best teams in the country.
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Eager to revive football with a single event, the Rouge et Or however needed the endorsement of U Sports since no games are usually allowed during this period. The exemption is valid only for this year. This opening, which was confirmed on Friday evening, aims to offer athletes opportunities in this period of pandemic.
“We will have to see if we are able to hold the event according to the constraints of public health, but this is good news,” said the director of the Sports Activities Service (SAS). Quickly, I will sit down with Glen (Constantin) to assess the energy and the time it will take to organize the tournament. ”
Meeting in Quebec
Constantin’s plan is to bring together in Quebec the teams that have crossed swords with the Rouge et Or over the years at the Vanier Cup except the Saint Mary’s Huskies whose program has not had the prestige of yesteryear for ten years. years. The sports branch of Western, McMaster, Calgary and Saskatchewan universities have already confirmed their interest. The University of Montreal Carabins also received an invitation.
If it is possible to play football from May 10 to 16, it will be necessary to see if the amateurs will be allowed in the stadium of the PEPS. “According to our plan A, it is very important to sell tickets and to have fans in the stands otherwise there could not be a tournament,” said Dionne. We haven’t looked at the other scenarios yet. You have to sit down and look at the budget and look at the partnership possibilities. It is certain that we will not hold the event if we are to be in deficit, but it would be different if we could arrive at zero cost. ”
“If amateurs are not allowed and football is allowed, we could do the tournament for the motivation of student-athletes,” continues Dionne. According to the scenarios, the teams would pay part of their expenses. A year without sport is long and this project would provide visibility for university sport and a good level of competition for the athletes. ”
The Carabins present?
Questioned Thursday before the answer was known, Manon Simard had not yet made her decision on whether the Carabins would accept the invitation. “We are not there yet in our reflection and it is premature to make a decision,” said the director of CEPSUM. You will have to see the context and the tags. When the scenario is clear, I will sit down with our head coach (Marco Iadeluca) and we will make a decision. ”
