Growing up in Chatham, Ontario, Bridget Carleton never envisioned a career in professional basketball within Canada. However, this season, she finds herself living that reality.
Reflecting on her journey, Carleton expressed her astonishment at the opportunity: “It’s surreal. I would never have imagined this when I was a kid growing up in Canada.” Despite limited exposure to the WNBA during her childhood, Carleton’s interest was sparked by attending Detroit Shock games with her mother across the border.
The recent WNBA game between the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire in Vancouver attracted an enthusiastic crowd of 12,414. The Tempo, after a 12-game losing streak, managed to claw their way to victory, defeating the Fire 82-79.
Early in the game, Portland took the lead, with Carleton contributing nine points in the opening six minutes. However, Toronto fought back, tying the score at 44-44 by halftime. The game intensified in the third quarter, with Toronto’s Isabelle Harrison making a crucial play to give her team a 58-53 lead.
The supportive crowd at Rogers Arena energized the Tempo players, as center Isabelle Harrison acknowledged: “Canada really showed up for us today.” Tempo’s head coach, Sandy Brondello, highlighted the overwhelming fan support that made communication challenging during timeouts.
The game was part of Tempo’s Cross Canada series, showcasing women’s basketball at different locations across the country. Coach Brondello emphasized the team’s goal of expanding their fan base and raising awareness for the WNBA in Canada.
The WNBA’s growth and increased visibility were evident during the Tempo’s visit to Vancouver, with guard Brittney Sykes noting the positive reception from fans. Sykes emphasized the importance of inspiring young athletes and nurturing their aspirations through exposure to professional women’s sports.
For Carleton, the impact of having WNBA games accessible in Canada extends to inspiring future generations of basketball players: “Seeing women professional athletes playing so close to home, the sky’s the limit.” As a two-time Olympian, Carleton values the opportunity to serve as a role model and promote women’s sports in Canada.
The Tempo’s upcoming events in Vancouver, including a fan festival and a game against the Las Vegas Aces, underscore the league’s growth and the increasing popularity of women’s basketball in Canada. The evolving landscape of women’s sports in the country represents a dream fulfilled for many aspiring athletes.