Latest news with #She'sGotNext
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Games over Galas: She's Got Next looks to unite women leaders through sports
She's Got Next's principle strategy comes in three little words: Games, Not Galas. That is, in fact, also a frequent tagline for the Vancouver-based group started up by Julie Smulders and Jill Tracy, and here's hoping they find time to trademark it, because it's as catchy as it is crafty. They are looking to support women's sport, and looking to give women's leaders with a background in sport a chance to network at something other than a pricey fundraising dinner. She's Got Next had 200 people at the WNBA game Friday at Rogers Arena between the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream . They have plans to have a section at every PWHL Vancouver game at the Pacific Coliseum this coming season as well. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The WNBA's Toronto Tempo helped put together the Friday event and they had representatives there, including team president Theresa Resch. Others on hand included director of Sport Hosting Vancouver Michelle Collens, pro golfer and Birdies Babes Golf founder Courtney Campbell, former national team volleyball player Emily Cordonier, and five-time track-and-field Olympian Charmaine Crooks. She's Got Next lists itself as a non-profit professional women's network. 'I love that it brings out a community of female sports champions beyond the rooms of the professional sport teams,' explained Collens, a former volleyball player at UBC. 'You're starting to see women come out of the woodwork, women who you didn't know who work over here or over there. You're seeing so many different communities come together. It's people connecting who otherwise would not have ever met each other. 'Standing there at the game the other night, there were people of all ages. It's not just the people who get invited to the galas.' Tracy is founder and CEO of BSTRO, a digital marketing firm. Smulders is COO of Willoughby Asset Management. She's Got Next started up in April 2024, and it's the product of Smulders and Tracy taking in a UBC women's basketball playoff game that drew a few hundred fans, and then watching a Caitlin Clark University of Iowa game that attracted 19,000. 'We left going, 'We can do something here in Canada. Let's bring a community together here in Canada and amplify this,'' Smulders said. 'Now's the time to do it. I feel like Canada has a passionate sports culture that's maybe not always tapped in. You see it at the Olympics, you see it occasionally when one of our icons rises to the top.' A post shared by SHE'S GOT NEXT (@ Smulders, as it happens, might be the ideal example of the type of person that She's Got Next is trying connect with. She doesn't live in the sports world daily. She was a high school basketball standout at Lord Byng who went on to play at UBC and later did a stint in the pro ranks in the Netherlands. She is the sister of Cobie Smulders, the actress known for her roles in How I Met Your Mother TV show and the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. 'Mainly resiliency,' Julie said when asked what she learned from her time in sport. 'The ability to fail and not have it set you back. You learn from failure. Failure is a part of a life. You go through it pretty much every single game. You make a mistake and you have to just keep going. 'It taught me that and it gave me the amazing role models I have in my life that I wouldn't have otherwise had access to. They gave me examples of leadership, integrity, teamwork. 'With athletes, you grow up understanding that it takes people around you to succeed. And I find that every member who joins our community starts out by saying, 'How can I help?' It's amazing that there's all these people out there who want to be a part of this and raise it up.' Smulders was equal parts 'elated and exhausted,' after the Friday event, and said that the turnout and the energy was better than she and Tracy had hoped for. She's Got Next plans to further their connections with the likes of the WNBA, PWHL Vancouver and the Vancouver Rise of the Northern Super League, and also is now beginning to reach out to the next generation of female athletes. 'As the university seasons kick off, we want to start up scholarship programs and show opportunities for career paths, because athletes are great hires,' Smulders said. 'That is one of our missions: get more women leaders. 'I think most athletes don't put on their resume that they were a varsity athlete, and I think that should be at the top. I would hire you based on those skills alone. You can learn the technical stuff … but the discipline, hard work and the plain showing up on time you get from being an athlete are all really important.' @SteveEwen SEwen@
The Province
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Province
Games over Galas: She's Got Next looks to unite women leaders through sports
Group has meeting at WNBA game on Friday and has plans to have regular meetings at PWHL Vancouver games Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox Julie Smulders at a meet-up at the Aug. 15 WNBA game at Rogers Arena led by She's Got Next, a non-profit professional women's network that is trying to bring together women sports leaders at games, giving them a chance to network while supporting local female teams. She's Got Next's principle strategy comes in three little words: Games, Not Galas. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors That is, in fact, also a frequent tagline for the Vancouver-based group started up by Julie Smulders and Jill Tracy, and here's hoping they find time to trademark it, because it's as catchy as it is crafty. They are looking to support women's sport, and looking to give women's leaders with a background in sport a chance to network at something other than a pricey fundraising dinner. She's Got Next had 200 people at the WNBA game Friday at Rogers Arena between the Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream. They have plans to have a section at every PWHL Vancouver game at the Pacific Coliseum this coming season as well. The WNBA's Toronto Tempo helped put together the Friday event and they had representatives there, including team president Theresa Resch. Others on hand included director of Sport Hosting Vancouver Michelle Collens, pro golfer and Birdies Babes Golf founder Courtney Campbell, former national team volleyball player Emily Cordonier, and five-time track-and-field Olympian Charmaine Crooks. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She's Got Next lists itself as a non-profit professional women's network. 'I love that it brings out a community of female sports champions beyond the rooms of the professional sport teams,' explained Collens, a former volleyball player at UBC. 'You're starting to see women come out of the woodwork, women who you didn't know who work over here or over there. You're seeing so many different communities come together. It's people connecting who otherwise would not have ever met each other. 'Standing there at the game the other night, there were people of all ages. It's not just the people who get invited to the galas.' Tracy is founder and CEO of BSTRO, a digital marketing firm. Smulders is COO of Willoughby Asset Management. She's Got Next started up in April 2024, and it's the product of Smulders and Tracy taking in a UBC women's basketball playoff game that drew a few hundred fans, and then watching a Caitlin Clark University of Iowa game that attracted 19,000. 'We left going, 'We can do something here in Canada. Let's bring a community together here in Canada and amplify this,'' Smulders said. 'Now's the time to do it. I feel like Canada has a passionate sports culture that's maybe not always tapped in. You see it at the Olympics, you see it occasionally when one of our icons rises to the top.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Smulders, as it happens, might be the ideal example of the type of person that She's Got Next is trying connect with. She doesn't live in the sports world daily. She was a high school basketball standout at Lord Byng who went on to play at UBC and later did a stint in the pro ranks in the Netherlands. She is the sister of Cobie Smulders, the actress known for her roles in How I Met Your Mother TV show and the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. 'Mainly resiliency,' Julie said when asked what she learned from her time in sport. 'The ability to fail and not have it set you back. You learn from failure. Failure is a part of a life. You go through it pretty much every single game. You make a mistake and you have to just keep going. 'It taught me that and it gave me the amazing role models I have in my life that I wouldn't have otherwise had access to. They gave me examples of leadership, integrity, teamwork. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'With athletes, you grow up understanding that it takes people around you to succeed. And I find that every member who joins our community starts out by saying, 'How can I help?' It's amazing that there's all these people out there who want to be a part of this and raise it up.' Smulders was equal parts 'elated and exhausted,' after the Friday event, and said that the turnout and the energy was better than she and Tracy had hoped for. She's Got Next plans to further their connections with the likes of the WNBA, PWHL Vancouver and the Vancouver Rise of the Northern Super League, and also is now beginning to reach out to the next generation of female athletes. 'As the university seasons kick off, we want to start up scholarship programs and show opportunities for career paths, because athletes are great hires,' Smulders said. 'That is one of our missions: get more women leaders. 'I think most athletes don't put on their resume that they were a varsity athlete, and I think that should be at the top. I would hire you based on those skills alone. You can learn the technical stuff … but the discipline, hard work and the plain showing up on time you get from being an athlete are all really important.' @SteveEwen SEwen@ Read More Local News NHL News Opinion News
Global News
2 days ago
- Business
- Global News
She's Got Next: Founders rally in Vancouver behind historic firsts in women's sports
Rogers Arena was host to a first on Friday night: the WNBA's inaugural regular-season game in Vancouver. Before tip-off, inside a private pre-game gathering, She's Got Next founders Julie Smulders and Jill Tracy brought together a powerhouse group of athletes, executives and community leaders to underline a message – Canada is entering a new era for women's sports, and it's time to show up. Smulders, a UBC Thunderbirds alumna who played professional basketball overseas, said the idea for She's Got Next began last year after she and Tracy left a sold-out NCAA women's Final Four and compared it to the Canada West championships in B.C., which drew just 500 fans. 'We thought, 'We can do something in Canada. Let's elevate women's sports. Let's bring a community of women together,' Smulders said. The private event drew some of the most influential figures in Canadian and North American sport: Toronto Tempo president Teresa Resch and general manager Monica Wright Rogers, NBA Canada communications director Ashton Lawrence, PWHL Vancouver general manager Cara Morey and director of business operations Tania Richards, and five-time Olympian and Canadian Olympic Committee president Charmaine Crooks. Story continues below advertisement 5:57 WNBA players call for pay equity Tempo also used the evening to announce that when their inaugural WNBA season tips off next year, two of their regular-season games will be played in B.C., marking another historic milestone for Canadian women's basketball. Instead of hosting galas, She's Got Next has built its brand around what Smulders calls 'games over galas.' The group organizes dedicated fan sections at women's sporting events, including Section 107 at PWHL Vancouver home games. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy That means when members join the organization, they don't just attend events—they show up in the stands together. 'It's about modelling behaviour,' Tracy said. 'Men have done it for decades—grabbing friends and going to games. We're making that the norm for women's sports.' This season also marks the arrival of PWHL Vancouver, the province's first professional women's hockey franchise. The league has already drawn record-setting attendance in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and now Vancouver fans have a team of their own. Story continues below advertisement 23:49 WNBA in Canada: Teresa Resch hopes Toronto Tempo will 'inspire an entire new generation' Smulders and Tracy said they were emotional seeing young girls in jerseys at PWHL games earlier this year. 'There were no dry eyes in our group when the women took the ice and heard the national anthem,' Tracy recalled. 'We hadn't seen that before.' The fight for visibility in women's sports has been ongoing for a long time. For decades, women were excluded outright: in the U.K., women's soccer was banned for 50 years. In North America, women were often dismissed as 'unable' or 'unfit' to play. 'That mindset doesn't disappear overnight,' Smulders said. In Canada, progress has accelerated in recent years. Christine Sinclair became the world's all-time leading international goal scorer, cementing women's soccer as a national passion. Marie-Philip Poulin's overtime heroics turned her into 'Captain Clutch,' rewriting hockey history. Story continues below advertisement And now, Canadian broadcasters are carrying more women's games—including, for the first time this year, all Indiana Fever WNBA games featuring star rookie Caitlin Clark. 'If you don't see it, you don't believe it's possible,' Smulders said. 'Now kids across Canada are seeing it.' 1:57 'To be brave, and to be bold': WNBA empowering next generation Smulders remembered her UBC days when the women's basketball team was fed Subway while the men's team got steak dinners. 'We were grateful just to get anything,' she said. Today's generation isn't settling. 'They want jerseys in their size. They want visibility. They want equality,' Tracy said. 'To them, women are just athletes. Period.' For Smulders and Tracy, the message to fans, institutions and media is clear: women's sports are not a novelty, they are the future. Story continues below advertisement Alongside fan sections and events, She's Got Next is launching scholarships for student-athletes, building career pipelines for women graduating from university sport, and continuing to host pre-game gatherings that unite athletes, executives, coaches, entrepreneurs and fans. The organization also has dedicated fan sections starting with Section 107 at every PWHL Vancouver game. The first WNBA game in Vancouver, the arrival of PWHL hockey in B.C., and the coming Northern Super League aren't just milestones; they're an invitation. The question now is whether Canadians will keep showing up, not just for history, but for what comes next. 'Come to games. Become members. Tell your friends,' Smulders urged. Tracy added: 'The bigger the community, the bigger our impact.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UBC creates 'basketball festival' by combining men's, women's U Sports championships
U Sports is ramping up its own March madness. For the first time, Canada's university men's and women's basketball championships will be played alongside one another on the Point Grey campus at the University of British Columbia. UBC athletic director Kavie Toor is expecting big things from the ground-breaking event. "It's going to feel like a basketball festival," Toor said. "It's going to really have an incredible feel, probably similar to a [U.S.] March Madness." The men's and women's Final 8s run Thursday through Sunday across the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and War Memorial Gymnasium. Live coverage of both tournaments is available on and CBC Gem. Game schedules are intertwined with women's contests leading into men's and vice versa — fulfilling one of Toor's goals of full integration. The men's championship goes at 10 a.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on Sunday, followed by the women at 1 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. "We mainly all throughout the tournament viewed it as a tremendous opportunity to positively set a new path forward. And we hope that after these championships that other schools will take notice and be like, 'OK, let's do dual championships,'" Toor said. "Because it does lift varsity sports as a whole. It does bring up the women's championship as a whole that's on par with the men's championship and it creates a bit of a new formula." Of course, there have been some hurdles for Toor and his team as they navigated new ground. The UBC women's program is looking to add another national title to its trophy case while on home court. (UBC) Logistics main challenge Logistics, like the schedule, presented the main challenge, but UBC successfully lobbied U Sports to add a day to the men's tournament to make it all work. Toor said the planning process required plenty of creativity and ideation. "We view our role in the Canadian ecosystem to lead and to take these risks and to take these opportunities to create something that is new, powerful and impactful," he said. Along with the games themselves, UBC's basketball festival will feature a women in sports panel titled She's Got Next, a coaching clinic starring Toronto Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela and basketball camps in Indigenous communities. The Larry O'Brien Trophy will also make an appearance. "While the sport is the driver, we also want to find opportunities to host ancillary events that help create a bit of an impact," Toor said. For basketball fans in Vancouver, it all creates a weekend completely dedicated to the sport — especially as they witnessed Toronto get handed a WNBA expansion team, which Toor semi-jokingly said caused "a lot of jealousy." Meanwhile, for new fans, the Final 8 presents a prime opportunity to see the sport at its grassroots best. "Generally when people come up for the first time, they're always like, 'Wow, I had no idea this was such a high level of basketball, hockey, football, et cetera. This is a great atmosphere and a great experience. I'm going to come back,'" Toor said. "So we want to create that for more people and we also hope that inspires youth." Plus, there is the basketball competition itself. UBC teams earn tournament berths Both UBC squads reached the tournament through qualification rather than relying on a host berth, with the women seeded fifth (facing No. 4 Saint Mary's in the quarterfinals) and the men third (facing No. 6 UPEI). It'll be the first matchup between the teams in each instance. But entering as the host team may be a double-edged sword — even if it means get a surprising shoutout from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal and TNT's Inside The NBA crew. There are the obvious positives in that players and coaches have the comforts of their own beds and their own facilities. Plus, the crowd should be 100 per cent in UBC's favour. However, there's also additional pressure that comes with home court. Each of the men's and women's Thunderbirds enter the national championship off losses in the Canada West final. "If you're able to get through that first night and work through the excitement of a big crowd on the big stage and advance, I think, if you're in that final four, I give our teams a good chance as any. But often those first games are tricky because there are opponents that you haven't seen before," Toor said. Toor said his teams would lean on their depth, as they had all season, en route to an 18-2 record for the women and 15-5 mark for the men. Instead of relying on just one star, having options when the pressure rises could prove crucial. "Our coaching staffs across the board are really trying to make sure they're well prepared and that they come into the games excited, but still on an even keel and not trying to do too much. Sometimes when the stage is big, you get to the moment where you're trying to force things," Toor said. Indeed, it will be the biggest stage — perhaps ever — for Canadian university basketball players, as both the men and women come together to compete in one place for the first time ever at UBC.
