Memorial University will host the 2007 Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) women’s basketball championship. The tournament will run from March 9-11, 2007.

“We will organize a first-rate championship and give all of our visitors a fine introduction to Memorial University and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Axel Meisen.

The announcement follows Memorial’s successful hosting of the Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball championship in 2003.

The Memorial University bid committee delivered a bid presentation at the CIS annual general meeting in Canmore, Alberta, in June and since then have anxiously awaited the decision of the CIS national championship executive committee.

Dr. Colin Higgs, director of the School of Human Kinetics, said this is a great opportunity for Memorial University and the city of St. John’s to be the focus of national attention. “We are confident that the community will fully support the organization and delivery of this event,” he added.

CIS President Drew Love said Canadian Interuniversity Sport is very pleased to see its women's basketball championship going to Memorial University of Newfoundland and the city of St. John's for the 2006-2007 season.

“This will be our first ever visit to Memorial for a national championship, and we have no doubt that the dynamic Sea-Hawk organization and the community of St. John's will make an extraordinary success of this event,” he said.

The Memorial University women’s basketball team has generated national attention over the past couple of seasons, as the Sea-Hawks have advanced to the national championships the past two consecutive seasons and have been ranked consistently among the CIS top ten coaches poll.

Head Coach Doug Partridge said that hosting the CIS championship is a huge step for the program.

“To be a part of a national championship always brings a feeling of excitement and enthusiasm to participants,” said Mr. Partridge. “To be a part of that at home, sets the stage for something special and our program looks forward to bringing the best teams from across the country together on our home court in 2007.”