The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves may have gained entry into university-level competition but may not be playing against the big schools just yet.
The Canada West University Athletic Association appointed a steering committee in July to look at options for reorganizing the body.
Possibilities include splitting Canada West into two tiers - one for the larger schools and one for the smaller ones - or alternately, one for the more established schools and one for the newer entrants. Other options are also up for consideration.
"Now that this association is up to 16 members, the idea now is to try and figure out the most equitable way to create a new association," UNBC athletics director Jason Kerswell said.
"Logically, a split of eight and eight would make a lot of sense but there are different factors at play, whether it's geographical breakdown, whether it's the football schools or hockey schools versus the non football and hockey schools."
Kerswell was noncommittal on what he would like to see.
"There is some talk of the new institutions in Canada West forming an association and that might allow us to be competitive a little sooner but at the same time the opportunity to play against the UBCs, the UVics, the University of Manitobas I think is a tremendous one and one that would be exciting for people watching the games here in Prince George," Kerswell said.
No matter what the outcome turns out to be, Kerswell said the Timberwolves will still ultimately compete for national Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) championships.
"If you keep the end goal in mind, regardless of what the regional associations might eventually look like, the goal will still be the same," Kerswell said.
Canada West directors approved UNBC's application for membership last week while the CIS will make a final decision in June 2012, which Kerswell expects will be a formality.
If that occurs, the Timberwolves men's and women's basketball and soccer teams will start playing university-level sports in 2012-13. They currently play in the B.C. college circuit.
