The Toronto Raptors support girls in sport ahead of the WNBA’s Canadian premiere
The Raptors paid a team visit to the MLSE Launchpad on Monday to surprise young athletes.
The Toronto Raptors spent their day off Monday afternoon doing a different kind of basketball practice when the team visited the MLSE Launchpad. After the TCDSB hosted their annual South Region Grades 7/8 Girls Basketball Tournament, the girls were surprised by the entire Raptors team to help with practices, workshops and activities.
Tristan Forbes/Toronto Raptors
The team wanted to show their support for the empowerment of young women in sports and raise awareness of the importance of standing up for these young athletes, who often don’t get the same opportunities as the male sports teams in their communities.
Tristan Forbes/Toronto Raptors
There were various activities for the kids and players to take part in – Pascal Siakam led groups at drills, while Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. took photos with the players in a fun photo booth, and Fred VanVleet joined the young players for an interactive The campaign was followed by a workshop on female empowerment and support for young women in sport.
Tristan Forbes/Toronto Raptors
MLSE Launchpad is a Sport for Development Complex in Toronto, supported by the various MLSE sports teams, offering free programming to youth.
When asked about the importance of this event, Fred VanVleet noted how much he was learning about certain disadvantages of women in sports and mentioned how he planned to prepare for when his own young daughter was old enough to play sports, so that he can know how to support them.
Young athletes in Toronto will have a chance to see professional women’s basketball in action when the WNBA visits Canada for the first time this spring. An exhibition game between the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx will be played at the Scotiabank Arena on May 13. This is an important step towards hopefully getting a WNBA team in Toronto and also an opportunity for these young players to see professional women’s basketball live.
Fred VanVleet said he would like to attend the May 13 WNBA game and believes Toronto would be an excellent place to expand the WNBA.
Fans can purchase tickets for the May 13-March 8 WNBA game at Ticketmaster.
Both the players and the children seemed to be enjoying the activities on the MLSE Launchpad on Monday and it was certain that the student athletes would not long forget this afternoon.
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