Sports
Vancouver Rise FC’s Holly Ward Scored First CanWNT Goal By An NSL Player
Last night’s Canadian Women’s National Team victory over Haiti was more than just a win, it marked the first time a Northern Super League player scored a goal in a Canadian National Team match. Holly Ward, forward for Vancouver Rise FC, scored her first senior international goal and added an assist in Canada’s 2-0 win, becoming the first Northern Super League (NSL) player to score for the CanWNT. She was also named Player of the Match.
Ward made her senior national team debut during the April camp in Vancouver—just weeks after signing with the Rise—and continues to make the most of every opportunity. A standout at the U-20 level, Ward has long been seen as a promising talent in the Canadian system, and last night’s performance was her most impactful yet on the senior stage.
“It felt really special to score in front of Canadian fans,” said Ward. “This was only my second call-up, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the group and to have had this moment on the international stage.”
Vancouver Rise FC President Sinead King congratulated Ward on this accomplishment: “We were so excited to witness Holly’s performance at this match,” said King. “She has shown herself to be an invaluable member of the Club and now, for her country.”
Ward was joined by other Northern Super League players who were called up to this Senior Canadians Women’s National Team competition, including Montréal Roses FC’s Latifah Abdu, AFC Toronto’s Emma Regan and Ottawa Rapid FC’s Desiree Scott, who retired from the National Team after a historic first leg of this competition in Winnipeg where her National Team career was celebrated in front of her hometown crowd.
“The Northern Super League exists partly to provide Canadian players the opportunity to reach their highest potential,” said Christina Litz, NSL President. “With her exceptional performance last night, Ward inspires all across the League to continue in our mission to inspire greatness on and off the pitch.”
Can WNT Head Coach Casey Stoney echoed the sentiments of Litz and King, “She’s a rising star,” said Stoney. “She’s earned every minute, and it’s exciting to see her growing into her game so quickly.”
The NSL’s inaugural season returns this week with three matches on deck:
● Thursday, June 5: Calgary vs. Halifax at 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM MT) – Streaming on
TSN+, ESPN+ and NSL.ca
● Saturday, June 7: Toronto vs. Ottawa at 12:00 PM ET – Streaming on CBC Gem and
NSL.ca
● Saturday, June 7: Montreal vs. Vancouver at 1:00 PM ET – Broadcast on TSN and
RDS2; also available on ESPN+
Sports
Toronto Tempo Bringing WNBA Action to Vancouver for Two-Game Series
WNBA basketball is coming to Vancouver this summer as the Toronto Tempo bring two regular-season games to Rogers Arena as part of their inaugural season.
The Tempo will face the Portland Fire on August 21 before taking on the Las Vegas Aces on August 23. The two games will give basketball fans across British Columbia a chance to see Canada’s WNBA team play on the West Coast.
The Vancouver series is part of the Tempo’s push to build a team that represents fans across the country. The franchise has already made its mark in its first season, including a record-setting stop in Montreal.
The Tempo’s regular-season showcase at Montreal’s Bell Centre drew 20,996 fans, setting a new WNBA regular-season attendance record. The Vancouver games continue that effort to bring the team closer to fans outside Toronto.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to build a team that represents all of Canada,” said Teresa Resch, President of the Toronto Tempo. “The support we’ve seen from fans across the country has been incredible, and we’re excited to bring the energy of the WNBA to Vancouver.”
Resch added that the games are a chance to celebrate basketball on the West Coast and connect with communities across the country.
Vancouver has a long history with basketball and has produced elite players at various levels. The Tempo’s visit gives local fans a chance to see professional women’s basketball in their own city, while providing young athletes with another opportunity to see the sport at its highest level.
The Tempo will stay in Vancouver beyond the court. The team will host Tempo Live at Rogers Arena on Saturday, August 22. The free community event will feature interactive basketball activities, clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly programming.
Tickets for the Tempo’s August 21 game against Portland and August 23 matchup with Las Vegas are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.