Growing up in Chatham, Ontario, Bridget Carleton never thought she would have the opportunity to play professional basketball in Canada. However, this season, the Portland Fire forward finds herself living that dream.
Reflecting on her journey, Carleton expressed her amazement at how far she has come since her childhood days in Canada. Recalling her exposure to the Detroit Shock through her mother’s efforts to attend games across the border, Carleton noted the lack of visibility of the WNBA in Canada back then. Now, at 29 years old, she is thrilled to be playing in Canada and believes it is incredible that children today have local role models to look up to in the sport.
In a recent game between the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire in Vancouver, a crowd of 12,414 witnessed an intense matchup that ended with the Tempo securing a hard-fought 82-79 victory, breaking their 12-game losing streak. The energetic crowd support was acknowledged by Tempo center Isabelle Harrison, who credited the fans for boosting the team’s morale and performance.
Portland took an early lead in the game, with Carleton contributing nine points in the first six minutes. However, Toronto fought back and managed to level the score at 44-44 by halftime. The atmosphere in Rogers Arena reached a fever pitch in the third quarter when Harrison’s impressive play gave Toronto a 58-53 lead, much to the delight of the crowd.
The game was part of the Tempo’s Cross Canada series, showcasing their commitment to engaging fans nationwide. Head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the importance of building a fan base and raising the profile of the WNBA in Canada, leveraging the team’s presence in different cities to attract new supporters.
As the WNBA continues to expand its reach and visibility, players like Carleton and Sykes emphasize the significance of having professional women’s basketball accessible to aspiring young athletes in Canada. Their hope is that the league’s growth will inspire future generations to dream big and pursue their passion for the sport.