Coaches Greg Poitras, Darren Semeniuk, Heather Semeniuk and Steve Manuel have all been upgraded to full-time status as UBCO aims for CIS.

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KELOWNA, B.C. (CUP) — Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s Canada West conference is getting some new competition as the University of British Columbia-Okanagan’s Heat have been approved as probationary members.

Starting with the 2011–12 season, the Heat’s men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams will begin competing in the varsity league, after almost 20 years as members of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.

The Heat will have to serve three years as probationary members before being declared full members by the CIS.

But, women’s volleyball coach Steve Manuel is confident it won’t be an issue.

“The biggest hurdle was getting into Canada West,” acknowledged Manuel, who has been hired as a full-time coach for the upcoming season. Greg Poitras, Darren Semeniuk and Heather Semeniuk have been promoted to full-time as head coaches of men’s volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, respectively.

“Anytime your fate is in someone else’s hands, it’s a concern, but CIS tends to follow their regional associations,” said Manuel.

With their graduation to Canada West on the horizon, the focus of the team is not only on winning this season, but preparing for the next year as well. The four Heat teams have been juggernauts in the college league for the last few years, collectively amassing an impressive 253 wins — .755 winning percentage — and medalling in 16 of 19 provincial championships.

Manuel was quick to warn against overconfidence heading into Canada West, however.

“We have a lot of work to do. CCAA success doesn’t necessarily translate into success in Canada West,” he said.

“This year, we have the option of maybe taking a weekend off if we play a team that we beat 90 per cent of the time. Next year, it will essentially be a playoff weekend every weekend.”

In addition to prepping players already in place, the coaching foursome will be an active part of the recruiting process. One of the main reasons for their switch from part-time to full-time was to allow more time for attracting high-end talent so that the team may continue to improve for seasons to come.

“It makes for an even playing field," Manuel said. "There’s no way we’d be able to compete in recruiting when we’re working against full-time coaches while trying to hold down a day job. Recruiting is about identifying positions, speaking to the student athletes, their parents and coaches. It’s a long process. Now we’re on an even level and have a year to get ready.”

While the upcoming CCAA season is still very much the focus of the UBC-O Heat, it's hard not to acknowledge that the idea of competing — and winning — against Canada West's best has already begun burrowing into the minds of the coaches and players alike.

“It won’t be a walk in the park, that’s for sure,” Manuel said. “However, I think the players are excited at the prospect. The news has helped us retain students, and we’re all very excited for the coming season.”

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