Cape Breton University to Host 2020 National Soccer Championships

December 11, 2018

TORONTO (U SPORTS) – Ten U SPORTS national championship hosts were revealed on Tuesday in women's rugby, men's and women's soccer and men's and women's volleyball for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Among the announcements was the 2020 Women's National Championships will be hosted by Cape Breton University for the second time in school history. CBU hosted and won the National Championships to sell out crowds in 2007.

Current CAPERS Head Coach Ness Timmons, who was the head coach of the 2007 National Championship team when Cape Breton last hosted the National Championships said "We were very excited to hear the news. Winning the bid to host the U Sports Nationals gives us a chance to show the rest of the country what we have here. I know that getting the chance to host the best programs in the country on our own turf will be a terrific and memorable experience for everyone involved. We are always looking for high-quality student-athletes, so whenever CAPERS soccer gets recognized it helps enhance the CBU name."

CBU Athletic Director John Ryan said  "Cape Breton University is very excited to be named the host site for the 2020 U Sports Women's Soccer National Championships. We want to welcome the best Women's Soccer Teams and their student-athletes to our fine institution and provide them with an experience that they won't forget. Coach Timmons has built one of the best Women's Soccer Programs in the country here at CBU and we are delighted that U Sports has entrusted us with the opportunity to host these National Championships."

The CAPERS women's soccer program is a perennial contender and is coming off back-to-back AUS Championships and 10th title overall (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018). They also have taken a home National Silver Medal in 2017 and a National Bronze Medal in 2018.

One of the strategic partners with CBU in putting on a top-class Championship tournament will be Events Cape Breton. Executive Director of Events Cape Breton Jennifer Shebib explained "We are thrilled that Cape Breton University has been awarded the 2020 U SPORTS National Women's Soccer Championship once again. It is a great opportunity to showcase our hospitality and commitment to make it one of the most successful and memorable Championships possible for student-athletes, coaches, and fans. This significant event further strengthens our position as a destination for hosting major sporting events.  We love sports and it shows!"

The national championships awarded are as follows:

"Several high-quality bids were presented for these championships, which speaks to the terrific work our members are doing to enhance our national events," said U SPORTS President and CEO Graham Brown. "Since refining the bid process, the national office continues to receive increasing interest from both institutions and their surrounding communities with a commitment to elevated standards. We congratulate all 10 winning hosts coast-to-coast from Victoria to Cape Breton, and look forward to working with them to stage first-class tournaments for our student-athletes and fans."