[March 12, 2020] OTTAWA, ON: In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19), and after consulting with authorities and host organizing committees, the Squash Canada Board of Directors has taken the difficult decision to postpone five Canadian Championships scheduled in April and May 2020.
The organization recognizes the importance of the Championships to the athletes. The decision has been taken reluctantly, but it is, however, taken foremost with the interest of the health of athletes, officials, volunteers, staff and all involved. It is also made as a socially responsible step given the current situation that is on an unfortunate escalating daily trend.
Contributing to the decision was that three of the Championships were ‘open’ events that included international entries, predominantly from the United States but also from different countries around the world.
Squash Canada will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with authorities and its host organizing committees to do everything reasonably and safely possible to re-schedule this season’s remaining Championships later in the year.
The following Championships are postponed until further notice:
Canadian Doubles Championships, Toronto, ON, April 2-5, 2020
Canadian Junior Championships, Victoria, BC, April 23-26, 2020
Canadian Mixed Doubles Championships, Markham, ON, April 23-26, 2020
Canadian Squash Championships, Niagara on the Lake, ON, May 5-9, 2020
Canadian U23 Championships, Niagara on the Lake, ON, May 7-10, 2020
Participants will be fully refunded respective entry fees. Squash Canada will assess the implications of postponement on various national and international team selection processes, and will communicate any amendments to criteria as may now be required. If and when Championships are re-scheduled, Squash Canada has determined that participants’ age eligibility as at the original scheduled date of the event would apply so that no athlete loses the opportunity to compete in a given age division.
The organization shares in the disappointment but hopes participants will understand that its decisions are rooted in prioritizing the health and well-being of members, visitors and their families.
For more information, contact:
Dan Wolfenden
Executive Director
Squash Canada
(613) 228-7724