The University of Manitoba campuses and research spaces are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene and Inuit, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
Being a Bison means being an engaged member of the communities where we live and play
Being a Bison means being committed to your programs, teammates and personal development
Being a Biso means striving for success on the fields of play and in the classroom
Bison Sports' mission is to provide high performance competitive programs that foster personal growth and leadership through the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence, and community engagement.
Bison Sports is committed to fostering positive learning and competitive environments for our student athletes and to promote a performance culture that is healthy, challenging and free of bullying, discrimination, harassment and sexualized violence and is inclusive of all gender, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, political status and economic backgrounds.
Bison Sports is part of UM's Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. The faculty's mission is the discovery and dissemination of the knowledge related to physical activity, human movement, sport, and leisure to improve the health, well-being and quality of life of Manitobans, Canadians and citizens of the world.
Being a Bison student-athlete is a privilege that comes with responsibilities and expectations. As a Bison, you are expected to be a positive role model, and abide by all UM, Canada West and U SPORTS policies and procedures. Infractions of any of these expectations and policies may result in consequences to your academic and athletic standing.
The Bison Sports code of conduct applies during all university activities and Bison Sports business, coaching activities and events including, but not limited to, competitions, tournaments, games, matches, practices, tryouts, training camps and travel.
All student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, team personnel and administrative staff must read, understand and sign the Bisons code of conduct annually. All student-athletes must also understand UM’s policies regarding conduct.
The following statements are meant to enhance your understanding of these expectations and responsibilities.
All Bisons must:
The Bison Athletic Therapy Centre is available to all student-athletes and located on campus. The clinic consists of a team of certified athletic therapists, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physicians.
The BATC is also a teaching clinic, supporting the Athletic Therapy Degree program within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management.
The Bison Intergrated Support Team (BIST) assists with improving the health and wellbeing of student-athletes through an individualized interdisciplinary approach utilizing athletic therapy, nutrition, sport psychology and strength and conditioning.
Collectively, this team strives to maximize the potential of each student-athlete and optimize team performance.
Bison+ is a unique academic support program designed with Bisons coaches to help student-athletes balance their academic and athletic responsibilities.
The Bisons+ support program is run in partnership with UM's First Year Centre.
The sport psychology team is designed to support student-athletes with any struggles they are facing. The team will discuss what is impacting a student-athlete and co-create a plan to help build tools and strategies to for them to perform their best in and out of sport.
Bison student-athletes have access to a wellness space to support their mental, emotional and physical well-being through recovery, mindfulness and self-care.
Optimally fueling and refueling the body is essential to reaching an individual’s full athletic abilities. Sport nutrition has shown to have a positive effect on athletes’ performance potential ultimately influencing student-athletes' overall health and athletic performance.
All Bison student-athletes have access to a registered dietitian who specializes in sports nutrition. Student-athletes can work with the dietitian to create plans to help them achieve their full athletic ability.
The strength and conditioning team at UM provide a systematic approach to training designed to maximize the physical talent of all Bisons. The strength and conditioning team oversee all facets of physical preparation including warm-up, cool-down, mobility, strength and power training, conditioning workouts, speed development and return to play post-injury. They are committed to help Bisons improve upon both the physical and mental aspects of sport performance.
In order for a student-athlete to compete in Canada West and U SPORTS, they must comply with eligibility requirements. Student-athletes must ensure that they inform themselves as to how these regulations relate to their circumstances.
If a current U SPORTS student-athlete intends to transfer to another U SPORTS school, the following must occur to be eligible.
Please review the U SPORTS transfer policy for full details.
Athletic Financial Awards (AFAs) are awarded to Bisons student-athletes based on performance, work ethic and commitment. Students-athletes will be notified by their head coaches if they have been selected to receive AFAs.
The use of cannabis for all Bison Sport student-athletes is prohibited during the competitive season from the start of any training camp to the end of the sport championships or while representing Bison Sports. On and off the field of play, research suggests cannabis can negatively impact sport performance, jeopardize athlete health and well-being, negatively impact relationships and put the safety of others.
For more information visit Cannabis in Sport Education Kit.
Student-athletes are expected to refrain from alcohol consumption at practices and competitions and in hotel rooms, airports, public transportation and vehicles transporting athletes to and from events while representing their Bisons team.
Bison Sport student-athletes are expected to refrain from alcohol consumption at practices and competitions as well as in hotel rooms, airports, public transportation and vehicles transporting athletes to and from events while representing your Bisons team. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else’s substance use, confidential support and information is available at Student Health and Wellness.
All varsity Bison Sports programs adheres to the U SPORTS, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), and World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) regulations for drug education, use and policy including:
Bison Sports supports team-building activities that are constructive, educational, and contribute to the intellectual and personal development of student-athletes. Bison Sports unequivocally opposes hazing or team initiations, or any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.
If you are aware of or have experienced a hazing incident, support is available. You may choose to report any hazing incidents you have experienced or are aware of to your head coach, the Director of Athletics, Associate Director of Athletics, or to the Bison Sports Psychologist, all who will provide confidential guidance and information about options and next steps. Outside of Bison Sports, the Student Advocacy Office can offer both support and information on the next steps and the Student Health and Wellness Centre has counselling support available.
Bison Sports are committed to protecting the health, safety, welfare and fair treatment of UM student-athletes. Bisons Sports has a welcoming and open-door policy for student-athletes. Current student-athletes are encouraged to connect with Bison Sports staff to discuss any issue at any time.
If you are uncertain about whether the matter you are looking to make a complaint about is related to an athletic program, team operation or a matter outside of athletics, you are encouraged to ask your head coach, respective sport administrator (e.g., associate director athletics or director of athletics and recreation) or sports psychologist. Bison Sports staff will support you in ensuring your concerns are referred to the appropriate university unit and that you have access to necessary support.
Bison Sports is committed to creating a safe, positive and healthy training and competitive environment free of maltreatment and abuse. As a USPORTS member, all Bison student-athletes, coaches, volunteers, team personnel and administrative staff are required to complete online Safe Sport Training through the Coaching Association and are required to adhere to and sign the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS).
Bison Sports are committed to protecting the health, safety, welfare and fair treatment of all student-athletes. Bison Sports pride ourselves on having a welcoming and open-door policy for student-athletes and you are encouraged to connect with Bisons Sports staff to discuss any issue at any time.
Ensuring a safe environment in which members of our community can live, work, study and enjoy life at UM is the highest priority. Security at the university is comprised of full-time security guards who are licensed with the Province of Manitoba. They provide security services 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are available to respond to health and safety concerns.
Sexual violence affects people of all ages, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities, abilities and relationship statuses. UM and Bison Sports are committed to ensuring a respectful work, learning and competition environment for all. Together, we want to build a safe and inclusive campus community where survivors of sexual violence know they can receive the supports they need to succeed.
The Sexual Violence Resource Centre provides support, resources, information and referral services for any student, faculty or staff member who has been affected by sexual violence. Anybody from the UM community can make an appointment with the center: those who have experienced sexual violence themselves, or those who want to support someone who has. All services offered by the SVRC are confidential.
Please review UM's sexual violence policies and procedures.
A student-athlete's presence on social media should always reflect the values of Bison Sports and the university. Student-athletes are ambassadors for UM and as such, are amongst the most visible students on campus and across the university community. Any postings on any social media are subject to the student-athlete Code of Conduct expectations.
Membership on a Bison Sports varsity team at UM is a privilege that creates unique opportunities to be a role model, peer supporter, mentor and spokesperson. A Bison student-athlete is expected to demonstrate the highest pursuit of ethical and drug-free sport, fair play, integrity, inclusion and respect for others. Bison Sports is committed to selecting student athletes who are positive role models and ambassadors to the university and who demonstrate the potential to be successful academically, athletically and contribute to the community when representing the UM at all levels of competitive sport.
It is important that every potential varsity student-athlete becomes familiar with the team selection process for each individual sport. The head coach has the final authority on decisions for each team. If a student-athlete has a question or concern about any aspect of team operations, they are encouraged to outline their concerns in an appropriate manner and time directly with the head coach.
Bison Sports believes that a diverse and inclusive environment welcoming all people benefits student-athletes, coaches, support staff and the larger UM community.
The Junior Bisons programs offer high-performance training and competition opportunities for developing athletes across several sports.
