Growing up in Chatham, Ontario, Bridget Carleton never envisioned herself playing professional basketball in her home country. However, this season, the opportunity has presented itself to her.
“It feels surreal,” expressed Carleton, who plays as a forward for the Portland Fire, ahead of her team’s match against the Toronto Tempo in Vancouver. “As a kid growing up in Canada, I could never have imagined this.”
Carleton was fortunate as her mother was aware of the Detroit Shock, and they made trips across the border to attend some games. Despite this, the WNBA seemed distant and out of reach.
“It wasn’t something we saw on TV,” she recalled. “Now, at 29, playing in a WNBA game in Canada feels unbelievable. It’s amazing that kids today have this as an inspiration in Canada. The evolution of the sport in both America and now Canada is truly remarkable.”
In a game witnessed by a crowd of 12,414, the Toronto Tempo (11-25) mounted a comeback from a 13-point deficit to secure an 82-79 victory over the Fire, ending Toronto’s 12-game losing streak.
The home support played a crucial role in motivating the Tempo, according to center Isabelle Harrison. “The energy from the crowd was fantastic. It really pushed us forward,” she remarked. “The fans really showed up for us today.”
Portland (15-21) started strongly, with Carleton contributing nine points in the initial six minutes of the game. However, Toronto fought back and leveled the score at 44-44 by halftime.
The excitement peaked in the third quarter when Harrison’s strong play led Toronto to a 58-53 lead, prompting cheers from the crowd. “They appreciate hard-working players here. The love for basketball is evident,” Harrison noted. “My focus is on the team, but it’s great to give the fans something to cheer for. They were amazing today.”
The enthusiasm in Rogers Arena was so intense that Tempo’s head coach, Sandy Brondello, had difficulties communicating with her team. “The support was overwhelming. It was so loud during big plays that it was challenging to even talk during timeouts,” she shared. “I’m thrilled the fans had the opportunity to watch us play. We represent Canada, and they stand by us.”
The game was part of the Tempo’s Cross Canada series, showcasing their matches in different cities across the nation. This initiative aims to expand the team’s fan base and promote their players as household names.
“We want to attract more fans and introduce them to the Tempo and the WNBA,” Brondello explained. “The goal is to grow the sport’s popularity, not just for our team but for the entire league.”
The WNBA veteran Brondello emphasized the challenges of introducing an expansion team to Canada but acknowledged the positive growth in women’s basketball. “The league has seen tremendous progress. The timing was right for this expansion,” she stated. “The increased sponsorship and attention are remarkable. Every new city visit is an opportunity. Canada’s involvement is enhancing the sport on a larger scale.”
The Tempo will continue their stay in Vancouver, hosting a fan festival before facing the Las Vegas Aces at Rogers Arena. Toronto guard Brittney Sykes commended the league’s growth, highlighting the increasing fan base and engagement. She expressed her surprise at having a team in Canada and emphasized the importance of setting a high standard for aspiring young athletes.
The impact of witnessing WNBA games locally will be significant for future generations of Canadian basketball players, as Carleton, a two-time Olympian, emphasized, “The presence of professional women athletes nearby opens up endless possibilities. It demonstrates that dreams can be substantial, and one doesn’t have to limit their aspirations.”
Carleton concluded, “Being a role model for others is truly an honor. The establishment of professional women’s sports in Canada is a realization of a dream.”