Providence athletics set for campus return

Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference volleyball and basketball action is returning to Otterburne.

Providence College is planning on bringing athletics back to their campus on a full-time basis. For the past five seasons the college has hosted volleyball and basketball games at the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre.

Last season saw the return of futsal (a soccer-like sport played on a basketball court) to campus. Pilots soccer plays on fields in Otterburne (season opener Sept. 12).

Providence’s volleyball teams will make their return Oct. 23 and the basketball team will be in action Nov. 7.

The planned return means significant renovations at the Providence gym to support the teams. A new sub-floor with shock-absorbing cylinders needed to be installed. The new space will feature retractable stands, a new scoreboard, upgraded ventilation and a fresh paint job featuring the school’s re-branded logo from earlier this year.

The Pilots fundraised to cover those costs, with any contribution above $1,000 placed on a “team behind the team,” recognition wall.

“Campus life has missed the buzz of game days,” the fundraising website reads.

“With your support, we can bring our Pilots home — creating a facility where they can train, compete, and represent Providence every day in a space that reflects their dedication to excellence.”

The upcoming year is set to be a season of massive change for Providence and the MCAC. In addition to the re-brand and movement of sports back to campus, the MCAC is introducing two new sports (cross country and curling). The Pilots are also planning a foray into a western Canada rugby sevens league.

It’s a big year for MCAC in general, as the conference is also welcoming back Red River to compeitition. The Winnipeg school is putting teams forward in volleyball, basketball and cross-country.

Adding Red River to the basketball league means Manitoba champions are now able to participate at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association national championships in that sport, beginning in the 2027/2028 season. Manitoba will also be sending representation to the cross-country nationals this year.

“This is an incredible step in the right direction for MCAC basketball,” MCAC basketball convenor and Providence men’s head coach Pierre Dubreuil said in a conference news release.

“Joining the CCAA gives us the chance to join a dynamic and highly competitive league with quality programs and athletes all around the country… For the last few years, we observed the positive impact of joining the CCAA on our volleyball and soccer programs, how athletes are levelling up their talents to the rest of the nation and fighting to get to nationals. The opportunity to follow the same pathway for basketball is an exciting new challenge and we can’t wait to display the quality of players and coaches Manitoba has to offer.”

With the new team, comes a new format. Manitoba teams have left the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to focus solely on in-province play. Each of the four teams will play six games against each other. Two semi-finals set by the regular season standings will give way to a best-of-three final.

Providence released their tentative cross-country schedule earlier this summer, with plans to attend a meet in South Dakota Sept. 4 to open their season.

The school has a renewed focus on their Otterburne campus, selling their Winnipeg facilities last year. Massive federal cuts to international student permit numbers have cut their revenues in half, with the school to laying off 10% of their workers.

The Carillon reported this upcoming school year will be the first where the reduction in international students will be completely felt.

The school announced they were closing their Junior Pilots program near the end of August. The closure of the club program has led to other clubs, both existing and new, stepping into the area.

The Bandits Volleyball Club, which already hosts teams in western Manitoba and Winkler, announced they would be setting up teams in Steinbach and Niverville. Taika Volleyball and Elevate Volleyball are also continuing to run teams in the region.

“We can’t imagine how tough this decision may have been and how it will affect players,” a social media post from Taika reads.

“If you are looking for a home this upcoming club season in the Southeast as a player or coach then you still have some great options with Taika, Elevate & Bandits South… Thank you Providence Pilots Coaches for laying some great foundations for volleyball in the last few years and providing a quality program for our kids in the Southeast.”