'Really inspiring': Young female basketball players pumped for WNBA in Toronto
Players with the TDSB’s Ursala Franklin Academy Flames are among some of Ontario’s best. For them, the reality of the WNBA coming to Toronto is exciting.
“I will definitely be getting tickets,” player Sayvia Martin told CTV News Toronto Thursday.
The Grade 12 student has been offered spots at U.S. universities. She said for Canadian players, the league hasn’t been the best career choice, but with its expansion north of the border, she’s taking a second look at a possible move.
“Growing up, I always wanted a team in Toronto so I could have more role models to look up to, and I think Toronto getting a team will keep more athletes in sport.”
The professional matches are still two years, but it’s already changing girls mindsets — about their future and their talents being on display.
“A lot of the college game has changed it. We’ve seen that through players like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers,” said Sloane Hayball, another player and Grade 11 student.
“It’s really inspiring and it’s creating a lot more talk, especially in basketball. Because I think throughout history we’ve been looked down upon in the world of sports and now we are really showing that we have the strength. You just haven’t given us the opportunity to show it.”
Because the players are physically smaller than men, the games are different.
“It involves a little more trickery, a little more skill because we have to get around each other,” said Angelina Matevski, a Grade 9 student also with the Flames.
Matevski said watching women’s basketball is more interesting for the audience because viewers can see more happening.
Watching women play on television and social media is also having impact she said because young female players are seeing themselves reflected on screen.
Players believe the Toronto franchise will only make women’s basketball more popular.
“A lot of people say they aren’t tall enough, they can’t be as flashy as guys can but that’s not true and it’s very obvious when you see them play live,” said player and Grade 11 student Amiee Ko.
“I feel like so many job opportunities will open up. It’s just going to be so lovely to see women being supported finally in the long-term.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6928776.1718538488!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Police identify Michigan splash pad shooter but there's still no word on a motive
Authorities on Sunday identified the man who opened fire at a splash pad in suburban Detroit before taking his own life, but his motives remained unknown as investigators worked to determine if he left behind any hint of his plans.
Ottawa Food Bank receives largest donation in its 40-year history
210,000 pounds of food was delivered to the Ottawa Food Bank on Saturday, the largest donation in its 40-year history.
No injuries reported after camper engulfed in flames in parking garage: Regina fire
A fire in an underground parking facility in Regina led to no injuries, according to the city's fire department.
80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace
Eighty countries called Sunday for the 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia's two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in and the way forward for diplomacy remains unclear.
'We’re in pretty good shape’: Calgary goes low in water consumption after state of local emergency declared
On a day that a local state of emergency was declared in Calgary, city residents answered a request from the mayor and emergency officials to use less water.
'A father’s love counts for a lot': Reflecting on dad’s influence this Father's Day
A Halifax-based psychologist says a quality relationship with their father is ‘very valuable’ for a child’s psychological health and development.
Halifax chef speaks about traumatic brain injury
Halifax chef Lauren Marshall was working in the Bahamas on a special event in February when she fainted and fell from a golf cart, hitting the back of her head.
Global study ranks two Canadian cities high on list of most expensive places to buy a home
As Canadians continue to struggle with the extremely high cost of buying a home in some of the country’s major urban centres, a new global report is underscoring just how expensive some of those markets are.
Foreign Affairs Minister insists there are no ‘traitors’ in Liberal caucus
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insists there are no "traitors" in the Liberal caucus, after a report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) alleged there are MPs and senators who are “semi-witting or witting participants” in foreign interference efforts.