While some sports organizations, like the Kelowna Rockets are getting set for the start of their long-delayed seasons, another has announced they will not be playing in 2021.
"Regretfully [we] announce the cancellation of the 2021 summer season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," said Falcons general manager Mark Nonis.
“The majority of the players in the West Coast League are from large NCAA programs in the United States, and we can't yet estimate when the border will be open again,” says Nonis. “With the health and safety of our fans, players, coaches, umpires and staff in mind, and despite the improvements noted by BC health officials, here in Kelowna we don’t anticipate a return to play until well into the summer. Although withdrawing from the schedule is a tough decision, we feel it's the right one at this time, for both our players and our community.”
Nonis made the announcement despite promising news on BC’s vaccination rollout.
"Last week Dr. Henry stated that she expects that 25% of the province’s population should have their first dose of the vaccine by the end of April. However, in the same breath she warns that we should not expect to get back to pre-pandemic life this spring," and that doesn't give the team enough time or certainty to devise a plan states Nonis.
This is the second consecutive summer the Falcons have been forced to cancel the season because of the pandemic.
“This one hurts a bit more than last summer,” continues Nonis. “We were really hopeful that by now all teams and fans would be able to get back to the park, so yes this is a very disappointing day, but safety comes first. We would like to thank our fans and corporate partners that once again supported us for the upcoming summer.”
"Without Kelowna on the field in 2021, the WCL won't feel quite complete," said Commissioner Rob Neyer. "But there will be a little bit of the Falcons in every single game we play this summer, and we know they'll come back stronger than ever in 2022."
The West Coast League will continue to play and will feature a U.S. division and a Canadian division. The Canadian portion will feature the Victoria HarbourCats joined by three teams slated for their inaugural seasons: the Edmonton Riverhawks, Kamloops NorthPaws, and Nanaimo NightOwls.
The Falcons are still planning on returning to the field for the 2022 season.