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KAITLYN’S SPORT STORIES: NOVEMBER 7, 2025

In this edition, we catch up on the state of the Ottawa Charge’s home arena and how a city council decision could decide the team’s future. We also check in on Victoria Mboko’s latest title win and new WTA ranking spot, plus big news from the Toronto Tempo with the signing of their first head coach, Sandy Brondello. Lastly, we cover BEYOND THE LINES, a new documentary series featuring AFC Toronto’s Nikki Small.

OTTAWA CHARGE’S HOME VENUE IN QUESTION

 

The future home of the PWHL‘s Ottawa Charge could soon face a major setback. The proposed Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment project includes plans to replace their current home venue, TD Place, which currently seats 8,500 fans, with a new facility that would hold just 5,850 seats.

The reduced capacity has raised serious concerns about Ottawa’s long-term potential as a flagship market for women’s hockey. A building of that size, PWHL executives argue, wouldn’t be able to sustain the team or meet the rising demand we’re seeing from fans. Playing in a smaller venue could make it harder for families to attend games, limit ticket availability, and stunt the team’s growth at a crucial time for the league.

Ottawa City Council meets again today for a final vote on the project. The call from fans and stakeholders is clear: the Ottawa Charge deserves a venue that matches the scale of what already exists- one capable of supporting the city’s growing appetite for professional women’s hockey.

VICTORIA MBOKO CLAIMS SECOND TITLE AND ENTERS WTA TOP 20

 

Canadian tennis player Victoria Mboko is still having quite the year! The 18-year-old secured her second WTA title at the Hong Kong Open, defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 7-5, 6-7 (9), 6-2 in the finals.

This victory marks her second major win in just a few short months- her first came in August at the National Bank Open in Montréal. With the Hong Kong title, Mboko has officially broken into the Top 20 of the WTA rankings, currently sitting at No. 18 worldwide.

TORONTO TEMPO welcomes SANDY BRONDELLO as head coach

 

Toronto’s highly-anticipated WNBA franchise, the Toronto Tempo, has announced its first-ever head coach: two-time WNBA Champion Sandy Brondello.

Brondello’s resume speaks for itself, including WNBA championship titles in 2014 and 2024, and a WNBA Coach of the Year honour. Most recently, she led the New York Liberty (2022-2025) and previously spent seven years with the Phoenix Mercury (2014-2021). After parting ways with the following the 2025 season, she quickly became one of the most sought-after coaches in the league.

At a press conference in Toronto, Brondello spoke about sharing a vision with the Tempo’s ownership and leadership group to build a world-class franchise and create a strong, winning culture from day one. Toronto is lucky to have her!

Nikki Small’s Story takes centre stage in documentary series

A new documentary series has arrived to spotlight one of Canada’s rising soccer stars. BEYOND THE LINES– the first player-focused documentary of the Northern Super League- follows AFC Toronto midfielder Nikayla “Nikki” Small through her journey on and off the pitch.

The first episode, ROOTED, is available now and can be watched here.

The documentary was produced by SCX Talent & Media, a boutique agency dedicated to elevating professional athletes beyond sport. Sydney Coombs, the Founder & CEO of SCX Talent & Media, spoke on the release of the documentary, noting: “BEYOND THE LINES was born from a desire to show the real heartbeat behind women’s soccer- the stories that happen off the field, in the homes, locker rooms, and moments of quiet belief that fuel every victory. Through Nikki Small’s journey, we wanted to explore how family, community, and self-belief come together to shape a new generation of athletes rewriting the narrative for women in sport. Our hope is that every viewer sees a piece of their own story in hers- and walks away believing that greatness grows when it’s rooted in support.”

To keep up with the documentary series, follow SCX Talent & Media here.

 

The stories of the week show girls in sport and physical activity that:

 

  • It’s important to continue advocating for what you deserve. For the Ottawa Charge, that means a venue that can keep up with and meet the growth we’re seeing in women’s hockey.
  • With the Toronto Tempo’s impressive head coach signing, the team is proving to be one to watch. These early building blocks ahead of their debut season next year show just how prepared Toronto continues to be when getting ready to make their mark in the WNBA.
  • While women’s sports continue to gain momentum, there’s still a lack of storytelling that dives deeper into the athletes behind the game. That’s why projects like BEYOND THE LINES, which highlight Nikki Small’s story, AFC Toronto, and the Northern Super League are so important. Fans want to stay connected and engaged, not just with the action on the field but with people who bring it to life.

 

 

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.

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