In this edition, we highlight six Black Canadian women who have opened doors in winter…
KAITLYN’S SPORT STORIES: JULY 16, 2025
In this edition, we catch up on Canadian soccer player Olivia Smith’s record-breaking transfer deal. We also take a look at Hockey Canada’s latest participation numbers for girls in the sport, and two newly announced documentaries highlighting Canadian women athletes. Lastly, we highlight local events in Ontario, including the exciting #HydrateHerConfidence campaign Girls Forward is involved in, as well as a Road Hockey Tournament and Girls Try Golf event.
CANADIAN SOCCER PLAYER Olivia Smith INVOLVED IN record-high transfer deal
Toronto’s Olivia Smith is making headlines in European soccer with a historic move. The Canadian player, who is part of Canada’s Women’s National Team and previously played for Women’s Super League (WSL)’s Liverpool, has transferred to Arsenal in a record setting €1 million deal.
This landmark moment for a Canadian women’s soccer player has not only spotlighted Olivia’s talent and ongoing potential, but also is a moment that now opens the door for what the future could look like for other Canadian women in the sport.
HOCKEY CANADA RELEASES NEW NUMBERS ON GROWTH OF GIRLS HOCKEY
Girls and women’s hockey in Canada is continuing to be on the rise, thanks to Hockey Canada’s newest numbers! Hockey Canada recently announced that over 115,000 players are registered in sanctioned programs for the 2024-25 season– a new all-time high.
They also reported growth in player participation overall (boys and girls), especially among those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Colour. Since 2022, girls’ registration in hockey has increased by 30% ; a promising sign of the sport’s expanding reach and representation. With the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) going into its third season, we’re confident that this number will continue to increase even more.
new documentaries to highlight beloved names in canadian women’s sports
Two exciting new documentaries on the way- one animated, one live-action, spotlighting some beloved names in the women’s sports space.
First up is an animated documentary on Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair. Backed by Knowledge Network and Creative BC, the project is set to premiere in spring 2026. The documentary will be available to watch on Knowledge Network’s television and streaming platforms. Sinclair, who recently retired, played for Canada’s women’s national team, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)’s Portland Thorns FC, and is now a co-owner of the Northern Super League (NSL)’s Vancouver Rise FC.
Meanwhile, a documentary on PWHL goalie and fan-favourite, Carly “CJ” Jackson is also in the works. Announced in collaboration with Maritime Pride Eggs, the documentary will follow CJ’s journey from growing up in a small Nova Scotia town to reaching the pro hockey stage. Keep an eye on CJ’s Instagram account for updates on the documentary release.
Jackson was recently traded to PWHL Seattle for the 2025-26 season.
LATEST ONTARIO EVENTS SHOWCASE COMMUNITY AND THE POWER OF MOVEMENT
Over the past two weeks, Kaitlyn and the Girls Forward Team attended several girls and women’s sports events across Ontario, including the Contigo x Desiree Scott #HydrateHerConfidence campaign workout class (which we had the privilege of taking part in), Laura Stacey’s LS7 Foundation Road Hockey Tournament, and Golf Canada’s Jr. Girls Tee it Up event.
Here are the highlights from each event:
Contigo x Desiree Scott #HydrateHerConfidence event
- From the branding in the HIIT studio to the photo backdrop, Contigo products,and t-shirts- the brand pulled out all the stops to “take over” a section of Sweat and Tonic
- The event felt deeply aligned around the importance of girls’ participation in sport. Desiree spoke about growing up playing sports and using her platform to inspire girls and women on the pitch. The Contigo team reflected on how many of them played sports growing up and how access to sport is important now for their own kids.
- The event had a warm, community-minded feel. Tons of guests took pictures with Desiree and she was so approachable, mingling with the attendees.
Laura Stacey’s LS7 Foundation Road Hockey Tournament
-
-
- The scale and dedication of this event are impressive. It takes up multiple streets and grows larger each year.
- It’s a unique opportunity for fans to see pro women’s hockey players up close.
- The tournament is as much for fan competition as it is for spectating.
- The atmosphere is alive and fitting: vendors, live art, hockey memorabilia, PWHL merch, and LS7 Road Hockey gear were all present.
-
Gold Canada’s Jr. Girls Tee It Up event
- The event emphasized a relaxed, fun, and inclusive golf experience for young girls.
- Representation was strong across the board. All instructors were women, the event was girls-specific, and most Golf Canada staff on-site were also women.
- The event also took place during a championship week. At one station, the girls practiced in the same area where pros were warming up for the tournament.
The stories of the week show girls in sport and physical activity that:
- The path to professional women’s soccer can take many forms. Olivia Smith’s success opens new doors and increases visibility for playing internationally but also Canada Soccer’s talent pool.
- New documentaries showcase athlete stories, demonstrating their marketability and how eager fans are to connect with them- on and off the field, ice, or court.
- Recent Ontario events underline how unique and special these gatherings are, reflected in strong attendance and continued growth. These events often naturally intersect- for example, a Road Hockey tournament that lets fans watch pros compete, or a fitness event celebrating girls in sport through movement.
Kaitlyn’s Sport Stories Recap are written by Kaitlyn Lehbert, a passionate and driven sport advocate for girls and women. Kaitlyn holds her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Brock University. Learn more about Kaitlyn by clicking here!
Have a sport story you want to share? Contact info@girlsforward.ca and it may get featured in Kaitlyn’s next feature.
Related Posts
