OCAA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

OTTAWA - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) annual general meetings, hosted by Algonquin College, have concluded in the nation's capital.

Representatives of all 30 OCAA members met throughout the week to plan important initiatives for the 2012-13 season and beyond. The following are some of the highlights of the week.

INCREASE IN ACADEMIC/ATHLETIC AWARDS

OCAA members have voted to increase academic and athletic awards for student-athletes, beginning in the 2013-14 season.

OCAA will continue its progressive scholarship award for 2012-13, where students can receive $500 to $1,000 per semester depending on their year of participation and sport.

Beginning in 2013-14, awards will be increased to $1,250 per semester for all student-athletes for a total of $2,500 per season for those participating in two-semester sports.

CHAMPIONSHIP HOSTS

OCAA championship hosts have been selected for the 2012-13 season.

Badminton - Centennial College (Feb. 15-16, 2013)
Men's Basketball - Seneca College (Feb. 28 - March 2, 2013)
Women's Basketball - Humber College (Feb. 28 - March 2, 2013)
Cross Country - Algoma University (Oct. 20, 2012)
Curling - Fanshawe College (Feb. 14-17, 2013)
Women's Fastball - Seneca College (Oct. 19-20, 2012)
Golf - St. Clair College (Oct. 1-3, 2012)
Indoor Soccer - Conestoga College (March 21-22, 2013 at OSA Soccer Centre)
Men's Rugby - Home of Highest Seed (Nov. 17 or 18, 2012)
Women's Rugby - Home of Highest Seed (Nov. 17 or 18, 2012)
Men's Soccer - Redeemer University College (Oct. 26-27, 2012)
Women's Soccer - Algonquin College (Oct. 26-27, 2012)
Men's Volleyball - Sheridan Institute of Technology (Feb. 21-23, 2013)
Women's Volleyball - Trent University (Feb. 21-23, 2013)

Regional hosts have also been selected for the 2012-13 badminton and indoor soccer seasons. Cambrian College and Mohawk College will host the East and West regionals in badminton, respectively, from Feb. 1-2, 2013, while Conestoga will host three regional indoor soccer tournaments at the OSA Soccer Centre in Vaughan, Ont., from March 4-6. Redeemer will host an indoor soccer regional on March 7.

The volleyball all-star games will be hosted by Sheridan on March 16, 2013. The basketball all-star games have been suspended for the 2012-13 season.

New in 2012-13, OCAA championship hosts in both basketball and volleyball will earn direct entry into these "Final 8" tournaments.

OCAA MARKETPLACE

The OCAA held its annual marketplace tradeshow, attracting hospitality, apparel, equipment, facility and other exhibitors throughout Ontario and Quebec.

The OCAA would like to thank the following companies for their participation in 2012.

Advantage Fitness Sales Inc.
Advantage Sport Inc.
Akira Systems
Anthony Lawson Audio Inc.
Apple Athletic Products
Big Kahuna Sport Company
CasB Media Inc.
Coach Canada
Crescent Hospitality
Days Inn - Canada
Forum Athletic Products Inc.
Gym-Con Ltd.
Impact Canopies Canada Inc.
InterContinental Hotels Group
Kinetic Solutions
Lakeview Hospitality
Legacy Fitness Products
Marchant's School Sport
National Fitness Products
Newad
Nothers Signs & Recognition
Ontario Gym & Sports
P.W. Leopard
Paul S. Leskew & Associates
RK & Associates
Russell Athletic (HDB)
SDR Seating Inc.
Sportslive
Starwood Hotels Toronto Metro Market
T. Litzen Sports
Tapitec Inc.
Travelodge Canada
VSP Sports
Westmont Hospitality Group
Westpoint Sports Flooring

MARKETPLACE AUCTION

A silent auction was held during the OCAA marketplace tradeshow, where visitors bid on apparel donated by the 30 OCAA member schools.

This, along with a putting challenge, raised almost $1,000 for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). CHEO was selected as this year's charity of choice by OCAA AGM host Algonquin.

PAPERLESS INITIATIVE

The OCAA strived to reduce paper use at this year's AGM, sending all required documents to its members electronically.

Based on previous numbers at AGMs, it is estimated that the association saved approximately 30,000 standard copy pages from being printed during the week.

2013 OCAA AGM HOST

Fanshawe College has been chosen as the OCAA AGM host for 2013.

Along with the AGM and marketplace, the 2013 OCAA Hall of Fame ceremony will also take place in London, Ont.

The association would like to thank Ron Port and his staff at Algonquin College for their hospitality and hard work during the past five days.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com