KAITLYN’S SPORT STORIES RECAP: FEBRUARY 26

In this 13th edition, we learn more about the former Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) team, the Toronto Six’s ring ceremony to mark the final closing of their chapter. We also learn more about the Canadian women’s national soccer teams’ victorious run in the Concacaf W Gold Cup so far and how the women’s curling 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts concluded. Lastly, we learn about tennis player Coco Gauff being named one of TIME’s 2024 Women of the Year. 

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

1. The Toronto Six’s ring ceremony was important first, to honour their successful championship run in 2023, but second, to take a moment to celebrate the team’s existence and acknowledge its role in shaping women’s hockey history and where women’s hockey has evolved to in the present moment.   
2. The Canadian women’s national soccer team is sending a clear message as a team and to their opponents that their player’s skills are not to be underestimated as they are continuing to be victorious with their games so far and are moving one step closer to the chance at winning the championship.   
3. There are no limits to what women can achieve, specifically mothers returning to their sport and competition. Rachel Homan’s accomplishment strongly conveys that women can simultaneously be mothers and great athletes.   
4. Being honoured as a “Women of the Year” adds to Coco Gauff’s positive impact on tennis. She has had an impressive tennis career thus far but also is impacting the sport as a young Black woman. She is contributing to making tennis more accessible and is a great role model for youth who may want to get into the sport.

Photo from Toronto Six

Toronto Six close their final PHF women’s hockey chapter during ring ceremony

The now-defunct Toronto Six women’s hockey team, part of the former Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), held a ring ceremony and gathering to celebrate their 2023 Isobel Cup championship win and say goodbye as a team for one last time. 

From the 2023 team, former players, coaches, staff, and media gathered in Etobicoke, Ontario, for one last celebration. The 2023 Isobel Cup champions all received their championship rings, and the Isobel Cup, for the last time, was revealed with the 2023 champions plate on the Isobel Cup. It is reported that the PHF’s Isobel Cup will now be heading to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario. However, its display timeline is unknown. 

Photo from Canada Soccer

Soccer Canada advances to quarterfinals in Concacaf W Gold Cup

The Canadian women’s national soccer team has moved on to the Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinals after their last two victories. The Gold Cup is a new women’s international soccer competition operating for its first year.

The Canadian women’s team won 6-0 against El Salvador this past Thursday. Then, on Sunday, the team won 4-0 against Paraguay. The next Canada women’s national team match is Wednesday, February 28, 2024, when Canada takes on Costa Rica. 

During the 2024 W Gold Cup run, the Canadian women’s national soccer team named soccer player Jessie Fleming as the team’s new captain. During the past Sunday’s match against Paraguay, Fleming also achieved a new mark, playing her 125th international game, or “cap” for Soccer Canada.

Photo from Curling Canada

Scotties Tournament of Hearts marks Rachel Homan and her team as the 2024 curling champions

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is a Canadian women’s curling championship. This year, the championship took place in Calgary, Alberta. The final day of the competition occurred this past Sunday, with Ontarian Rachel Homan and her team marked as the 2024 victors. This win for Homan gives her her fourth title. Homan’s team took home $100,000 worth of prize money from the competition. This win also marked another notable achievement for Homan, who gave birth to her third child just six months ago. 

Photo from Olympics.com

Coco Gauff named as one of TIME’S 2024 Women of the Year

American tennis player Coco Gauff has been honoured as one of TIME’s 2024 Women of the Year list. The list includes 12 women recognized as “extraordinary leaders fighting for a more equal world.” When it comes to fighting for equality, the tennis player is no stranger. Gauff spoke about diversity in tennis, noting that “being a Black woman, in a sport that isn’t as diverse as others are, it definitely means a lot to me.” In 1961, Gauff’s grandmother was the first Black student to attend her high school in Delray Beach, Florida. 

Gauff is the only athlete and youngest woman named to the 2024 list. Click here to read more about Gauff being honoured as one of twelve 2024 Women of the Year.

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@fastandfemale.com and it may get featured in Kaitlyn’s next feature.