OUA

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is the regional governing body for varsity intercollegiate athletics among universities in Ontario, Canada, and is a member of U Sports, the national organization for university sport. The OUA coordinates league schedules, standings, and championships, administers competition eligibility, and supports the development of student-athletes and coaches within its member institutions.

Membership consists of Ontario-based universities that compete in various sports under the U Sports umbrella. The league operates with governance provided by a commissioner and an executive committee made up of athletic directors from member schools, with operations typically served by an OUA office.

The OUA organizes championships and regular-season play across a range of sports, including football, basketball, hockey, soccer, volleyball, and others. Conference champions earn berths to U Sports national championships, connecting Ontario competition to the broader national landscape. The football championship within the OUA, historically associated with the Yates Cup, is one of the league’s long-standing traditions.

History and structure: The OUA traces its roots to mid-20th-century regional athletic organizations and later formalized its governance as Canadian university sport evolved under U Sports. Today, the league administers competition, ethics, and eligibility rules, while emphasizing student-athlete academic success and safety.

See also: U Sports.