WELCOME TO EDMONTON

WHERE LEGENDS OF ALL EPIC PROPORTIONS ARE BORN

In Edmonton, the main event isn’t just reserved for the men. Here, we shift the spotlight onto women’s sports. Our city takes pride in nurturing world-class women athletes, supporting them from grassroots to global prominence. Edmonton boasts an impressive roster of extraordinary women athletes who were not only raised in our city but have also risen to global ranks.


EDMONTON'S ROSTER OF ALL STAR WOMEN

  • Jen Kish (Olympic Bronze Medalist, Rugby 7s)
  • Stephanie Labbé (Canadian Soccer Player, Olympic Bronze & Gold Medalist)
  • Katherine Plouffe (Tango Bourge Basket and Canada women's national basketball team)
  • Michelle Plouffe (Lyon ASBEL Féminin and Canada women’s national basketball team)
  • Kelsey Mitchell (2020 Olympic champion in track cycling)
  • Lori-Ann Muenzer (2004 Olympic champion in track cycling)
  • Emma Finlin (2024 Paris Olympic Qualifier, open water swimming, Swimming Canada)


Plus many more legends of all identities including up-and-coming stars from the non-binary and transgender community who are set to take the world stage in the future!


OUR ROOTS IN WOMEN’S SPORTS RUN DEEP

HONORING THE LEGACY OF THE EDMONTON GRADS: PIONEERS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The Edmonton Grads (1915–40)

Step back in time to witness the greatness of the Edmonton Grads, an iconic women's championship basketball team, led by the legendary coach Percy Page. Throughout their illustrious 25-year journey, the Grads achieved an astonishing 95% victory rate, solidifying their status as true champions!

Immortalized in Sports History

In recognition of their extraordinary achievements, the Edmonton Grads were deservedly inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2017, forever enshrined as pioneers of women's basketball.

Paving the Way for the Future (2013 – Present)

The legacy of the Edmonton Grads continues to inspire generations. In 2013, City Council's visionary decision designated Edmonton as the home of the Canadian Women's Basketball Team. This marked a defining moment, signifying the city's unwavering commitment to grow the game and establish Edmonton as a hub of excellence in basketball, both nationally and globally.

"Edmonton has an incredibly rich tradition of women's basketball, and for our national team [...] to [be inspired] by the friendly ghosts of the Edmonton Grads [...] is the crowning touch." - Wayne Parrish, Canada Basketball President & CEO

Canada Women's National Basketball Team

Today, The University of Alberta's Saville Community Sports Centre serves as the training ground for the mighty Canada women's national basketball team. With pride, we celebrate Edmonton's very own Plouffe sisters - Katherine and Michelle – as they triumphed and clinched the silver medal in the 2022 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Antwerp, Belgium and a rewarding first place win on home soil during the Edmonton stop of the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series.

The Unofficial Birthplace of Women’s Soccer

Our Proud Accomplishments

Edmonton boasts a significant title in Canadian soccer history - the unofficial birthplace of women's soccer. This distinction is well-earned, backed by our remarkable achievements and undeniable merit.

Spiking Success:

A VOLLEYBALL HAVEN FOR EMPOWERED ATHLETES

A CHAMPION FOR CANADA'S WOMEN'S
NATIONAL SITTING TEAM

Dedicated Training at EVPC

The Women's Sitting National Team finds their home at the state-of-the-art Edmonton Volleyball Pickleball Centre (EVPC). Covering an impressive 49,000 sq ft, the centre is Edmonton's first-of-its-kind facility, offering 11 volleyball courts and 17 pickleball courts. It's here that Team Canada hones their skills on a dedicated sitting volleyball court, fine-tuning their game to reach new heights of excellence.

A Force to Reckon With

Canada's Women's sitting team has left an indelible mark on the world stage, currently holding the prestigious 3rd rank globally. Their last Paralympic appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they secured a bronze medal, showcased their unwavering determination and talent, leaving fans in awe of their achievements.

Olympic Glory

After training tirelessly and journeying across the globe, Canada's Women's sitting team secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Edmonton proudly celebrates these remarkable athletes who pursued their Olympic dreams with unwavering determination.


EMBRACING THE GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT

Edmonton Hosts the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Beach Pro Tour Challenge

Canadian Women’s Teams in Action

Two Canadian women’s teams competed in the playoff round. Although both teams suffered defeats and were eliminated in the tournament, it served as a great training ground to warm up for the Elite 16 semi-finals in Montreal where Melissa Humana-Pardes and Brandle Wilkerson had their gold moment, finishing first and establishing themselves as one of the best women’s beach volleyball teams in the world!

Explore Edmonton joins forces with Sports Pro New Era

In a concerted effort to transform our words into tangible actions, Explore Edmonton has forged a dynamic partnership with SportsPro New Era. New Era is a year-round program designed to recognize, support, and advocate for a new era of gender equality and representation within the international sports industry.

SportsPro wants to bring new ideas, underappreciated thinkers, and future leaders to the forefront and elevate their profiles by providing a global platform and ongoing community support, powered by a diverse Steering Group of inspirational and accomplished women with unrivaled experience.

Despite progress being made, there is still a small pool of regular women contributors to the global b2b sports industry conversation. SportsPro intends to widen and deepen this from within. Each year, twelve successful woman applicants benefit from year-round editorial, event, and networking opportunities, as well as dedicated coaching time with every member of the Steering Group.

Explore Edmonton is proud to collaborate on this groundbreaking initiative dedicated to advancing gender equality and representation within the global sports industry. We share the commitment to fostering a new era where all voices are heard and valued.


The Future is Bright

As we look to the future, Edmonton is a breeding ground for a new generation of trailblazers. These rising stars are set to take the world stage, creating a legacy that will inspire generations of women to come. Watch as they dazzle and redefine what's possible in the realm of women's sports.

In Edmonton, women's sports are not just a sideshow; they are the main event. We invite you to be a part of this extraordinary movement, cheering on our athletes, and celebrating their remarkable achievements. Together, we'll continue to break barriers, smash stereotypes, and witness history in the making. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of the past, embrace the present, and look forward to a future where the sky's the limit for women in sports. Edmonton proudly stands at the forefront of this empowering journey, and we invite you to be a part of it by hosting your next women’s sporting event in a city that embraces and celebrates it.

Want to learn more?

Contact our team to learn more about how you can get involved in supporting Women’s Sports in Edmonton. Email: womenssports@exploreedmonton.com and we’ll happily explore options of how we can help bring the global stage to the game you’re looking to amplify! Alternatively, please fill out the form below describing the event you're looking to host and a member of our team will be in contact with you shortly.