Canada West announces acceptance of Simon Fraser University as probationary member

Canada West has officially accepted Simon Fraser University (SFU) as a probationary member, following the conclusion of the conference’s annual general meeting on Thursday morning in Kelowna.

SFU was confirmed as the conference’s 18th member after securing more than the 75 per cent membership approval required for Canada West acceptance. The application remains dependent on SFU’s application for probationary U SPORTS membership, which will be reviewed at the U SPORTS Conference and Annual Meeting taking place June 2-4 in St. John's, N.L.  

The vote clears the path for Simon Fraser to return to Canada West competition beginning in the 2027-28 season. The application was subject to a sport-by-sport review process, with men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, indoor track and field, soccer, swimming and wrestling being formally approved. SFU’s women’s volleyball application SFU’s women’s volleyball application was not supported at this time; however, Canada West members remain open to continuing conversations with SFU regarding participation in the sport of volleyball. 
 
Simon Fraser will continue to participate as members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (NCAA Division II) for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
  
“On behalf of our 17 member institutions, we are pleased to welcome Simon Fraser University back into the fold,” says Ben Matchett, president, Canada West. “We were impressed by the commitment of SFU’s institutional and athletic leadership to this process, and we look forward to working with them on the transition process as we prepare for the Red Leafs to join competition in the fall of 2027.” 

SFU is set to rejoin Canada West after previously competing in several sports in the conference from 2000 to 2010. The university’s return marks the conference’s first expansion since MacEwan University was granted full membership in 2017.  

For SFU, joining U SPORTS and Canada West ensures the long-term sustainability of varsity sport that supports student-athletes and creates opportunities for our athletes to thrive both in sport and education. Competing against local Canadian universities will enhance natural rivalries and the fan experience on campus for all SFU students, leading to a deeper sense of SFU community. 

“This vote is an important step for the university and its journey to join U SPORTS and Canada West,” says Luc Simard, executive director, SFU Athletics and Recreation. 

“We are disappointed that women’s volleyball was not immediately accepted, but remain 100 per cent committed to having the team compete in Canada West and U SPORTS. Women’s volleyball is a critical sport for the university, and we look forward to constructive conversations with Canada West members. We humbly thank member schools and their leadership for their support and for guidance during this process.”  

Upon its return to Canada West competition, SFU will renew regional rivalries with several nearby B.C. institutions, including the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), Trinity Western University (Langley), University of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford), Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops), UBCO (Kelowna), University of Northern British Columbia (Prince George), and the University of Victoria.

CONTACT

JEFF HODSON, SFU Communications & Marketing 
jdhodson@sfu.ca

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

SFU is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, SFU has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, SFU fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 364 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.