Growing up in Chatham, Ontario, Bridget Carleton never envisioned herself playing professional basketball in her home country. However, this season has brought her that very opportunity.
“It’s quite surreal,” expressed the Portland Fire forward, reflecting on her journey before facing the Toronto Tempo in Vancouver. “As a child in Canada, I never would have thought this possible.”
Carleton was fortunate as her mother introduced her to the Detroit Shock, and they attended games across the border. Despite this, access to the WNBA was limited for her.
“We didn’t see it on TV,” she recalled. “Now, at 29, playing a WNBA game in Canada feels unbelievable. It’s amazing for Canadian kids to have this inspiration and witness the sport’s growth in both the U.S. and Canada.”
In a thrilling match witnessed by 12,414 fans, the Tempo staged an impressive comeback to defeat the Fire 82-79, snapping Toronto’s 12-game losing streak.
Centre Isabelle Harrison credited the boisterous crowd for boosting their performance. “The fan support was incredible. It felt like we had the momentum because of their presence. Canada really showed up for us today.”
Portland took an early lead, with Carleton contributing nine points in the opening six minutes. However, Toronto rallied back, tying the score at 44-44 by halftime.
The crowd roared as Harrison powered through traffic, securing a layup that propelled Toronto to a 58-53 lead in the third quarter.
“The fans appreciate hard-working players and have a genuine love for basketball,” Harrison acknowledged. “My focus is on the team, playing with intensity for them, while also giving the crowd something to cheer for. Today, they truly rallied behind us.”
The deafening noise at Rogers Arena on Friday made communication challenging for Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello. “The overwhelming support made it hard to communicate during timeouts. I’m thrilled that the fans witnessed our game. We are Canada’s team, and they stand by us.”
Friday’s game was part of the Tempo’s Cross Canada series, which included matches at Montreal’s Bell Centre in July. The first game drew a record attendance of 20,996 for a regular-season WNBA game, despite a 108-95 loss to the Dallas Wings.
Brondello emphasized the importance of traveling across the country to showcase the team and players, aiming to expand the fan base and elevate the WNBA’s profile.
With over 27 seasons of WNBA experience, Brondello acknowledged the challenges of establishing an expansion team in Canada but celebrated the growth of women’s basketball. She highlighted the league’s increased visibility and support, particularly in new markets like Canada.
The Tempo will continue their stay in Vancouver, hosting a fan festival before facing the Las Vegas Aces at Rogers Arena on Sunday, demonstrating the league’s recent growth.
Guard Brittney Sykes praised the growing fanbase and expansion of the WNBA, expressing her surprise and delight at having a team in Canada. She emphasized the importance of providing a high-quality product for aspiring young basketball players.
Carleton emphasized the significance of young athletes in Canada witnessing professional women’s basketball up close, encouraging them to dream big and pursue their goals.
“Having professional women’s sports in Canada is a dream come true,” Carleton concluded. “It’s an honor to inspire others and show them that with dedication, big dreams are achievable.”
