A report on athletics at Memorial University has been completed.

The report, 2013 President’s Task Force on Competitive Sport at Memorial University: Recommendations for Future Success, has been delivered to President Gary Kachanoski.

“I’d like to thank the members of the task force, chaired by Dr. Mary Bluechardt, for their efforts in undertaking this review which will inform the planning for athletics at Memorial,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “The report contains a number of aspirations and recommendations and is the first step in creating a strategic action and budget plan for varsity and competitive sport at Memorial. I have sent it to the Vice-Presidents Council for review.”

The task force committee conducted extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders within Memorial and the broader community. It reviewed and assessed a number of areas related to varsity athletics including: Memorial’s varsity program over the past 15 years with respect to competitive success; the current barriers to success and the potential for varsity sports across all campuses. It also conducted an external scan of other schools in Atlantic Canada and Canadian universities comparable to Memorial.

“It was a privilege to chair this important initiative and it was wonderful to experience the passion and enthusiasm of the university community and community at large for varsity and competitive sport at Memorial,” said Dr. Mary Bluechardt. “I would also like to thank the members of the task force for their energy and expertise.”

The committee has also provided a number of recommendations for the future direction of varsity and competitive sport at Memorial. The report is the first step in creating a strategic action and budget plan for varsity and competitive sport at Memorial.

The university welcomes comments from members of the public regarding the possibilities proposed by the report. The report is available at www.mun.ca/president/Athletics.pdf  and comments about the report can be sent to Tracey Pittman, co-ordinator of the Vice-Presidents Council, at tpittman@mun.ca until Dec. 31, 2013.