UBC National Sport Affiliations

The UBC Thunderbirds varsity programs compete against teams in both Canada and the United States. Not every program is part of the same association or conference. Below are details about the governing bodies that the Thunderbirds play under.
 

U SPORTS

U SPORTS, the national governing body of university sport in Canada, is composed of the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Fifty-six (56) member institutions with over 10,000 student-athletes and 650 coaches vie for 21 National Championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at FISU Winter and Summer Universiade’s, and 27 World University Championships.

From Victoria to St. John’s, student-athletes compete for national and regional honours from the following Regional Associations: Canada West, Ontario University Athletics, Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec, and Atlantic University Sport. UBC is a member of the Canada West conference, which includes seventeen (17) schools across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

UBC's U SPORTS Men's sports include: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Swimming, and Volleyball.

UBC's U SPORTS Women's sports include: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Rugby (7’s and 15’s), Soccer, Swimming, and Volleyball.
 

NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is a completely autonomous association currently administering programs of intercollegiate athletics for approximately 250 fully accredited colleges and universities of moderate enrollment. Established in 1940 as the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB), the Association expanded to include other programs in 1952.

The NAIA became the first intercollegiate sports governing body to provide championship opportunities for both men and women when the women’s program was established on August 1, 1980. The purpose of the NAIA is to promote education and development of students through intercollegiate athletic participation. Member institutions, although varied and diverse, share a common commitment to high standards and the principle that athletics serves as an integral part of education.

All of UBC's NAIA teams compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, which primarily consists of schools in Washington, Oregon and Idaho in the United States 

UBC's NAIA Men's Sports include: Baseball, Golf, and Track & Field (outdoor).

UBC's NAIA Women’s Sports include: Golf, Softball, and Track & Field (outdoor).
 

Other Varsity Sports

The UBC Department of Athletics and Recreation offers some programs that are not affiliated with an intercollegiate conference. 

Rowing competes in the Canadian University Rowing Association (CURA), while both Men's Rugby and Men's Field Hockey compete in men's leagues that include both university and club teams. This group of sports all follow U SPORTS regulations for eligibility and compliance. To learn more about the regulations for both U SPORTS and NAIA, click Eligibility.