"The 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the Washington Mystics marks the competitive debut of Canada's first Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team. And a crowd of thousands is expected for the sold-out game. The Tempo played two exhibition games in the weeks leading up to the start of its season. Though the team lost both games, its fans' enthusiasm is still going strong."
"I've been into basketball for a while and just to know there's a team out there for me. It's crazy. 'It just gives us so much hope' King said the team opens up opportunities for girls who aspire to be professional basketball players. Knowing that my friends could become WNBA players and have a career even after high school in the sport is amazing, she said."
"One of the team's standout players, guard Kia Nurse, was born and raised in Hamilton. King and Neven said the hometown hero makes the team's debut even more meaningful. To see like people from where we come from making it just gives us so much hope, said Neven."
"Since the team's announcement in 2024, Resch said there's been an outpouring of support from fans across the country. She said she's glad to see the team become a reality and said the goal is to create something lasting."
Toronto Tempo plays its first regular-season women’s professional basketball game with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the Washington Mystics. The team’s debut marks Canada’s first WNBA franchise, and thousands of fans are expected for a sold-out matchup. Toronto Tempo held two exhibition games before the season, losing both, while local enthusiasm remains strong. High school players Julia Neven and Norrie King plan to watch together and see the team as proof that girls can pursue professional basketball careers. Kia Nurse, a Hamilton native, adds hometown meaning to the opener. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Tempo president Teresa Resch raised the team’s flag outside city hall, citing widespread national support since the 2024 announcement and a goal to build something lasting.
Read at www.cbc.ca
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]