Can TMU Bold's Youthful Squad Repeat Past Triumphs in the Upcoming Basketball Season?

The team takes the court for a Tuesday night practice in downtown Toronto in the old Maple Leaf Gardens. The loud sounds of local popstar Drake can be heard through the speakers of the Mattamy basketball arena with the young yet ambitious team warming up. With every blow of the whistle, the music pauses. Stretches stop, basketballs stop bouncing, and everyone turns to look at head coach Carly Clarke. For over 11 years, she has held the position of head coach of the women's basketball team for the TMU Bold. (Formerly Ryerson Rams) When the whistle blows, Carly shouts out to the team in such a way. With every motivating word to the team, with every word of wisdom spoken, the players gain confidence and focus on bettering themselves.

Nevertheless, this year's women's basketball team will be a unique and challenging year for the team that went undefeated in their triumphant OUA championship only two years ago after a significant overhaul of impressive 4th-year players graduating. The 2023/2024 team is the youngest team the program has seen in decades. The roster holds only one 4th year player. Almost half of the roster is made up of first years. Because the Bold has such a young team, many will quickly write the Bold off for the upcoming season and consider seeing it more as a transition year. However, head coach Carly Clarke believes otherwise, stating,

"I think we have a lot of belief in this team and what we can be capable of doing a lot of great things."

She went on to talk about the mentality of winning on her team no matter the circumstances of the upcoming season.

"Our philosophy every year is to try and be the best at getting better, which we focus on daily. I think we have confidence that if we do that, we will be in a good position by the end of the season to compete and continue winning games."

With the new beginnings of such a young team, some may see the downsides of having an inexperienced side, especially the tricky balance of school and basketball responsibilities. Yet the non-first years have proven helpful towards the team's young players, as second-year guard Kait Nichols mentions the importance of balancing a busy university life and finding that balance.

"Balancing is the most important. When you have an assignment due on the same day, it is important to have your priorities. So the little time you get away from basketball, you have to focus on what is most important, which is getting that work done."

She later talks about the mindset you keep to stay sharp.

"When you are at practice, you think about basketball, and at home, you think about getting your work done. That is the message and lesson we are trying to pass down to these first years."

From the precise impact and support that Coach Carly Clarke has shown and veteran players on the team like Catrina Garvey has expressed, it has proven to be an excellent thing for the players.

"It is the great aspect of community here. The people around me are just so supportive, and they are just uplifting when times can get tough and in hard situations, and that makes me proud to represent and play for the TMU Bold basketball team."

Much of the leadership shown by Coach and older players has significantly impacted the freshman, and it will set the stage for an exciting season. Is it more of a transition year, or can TMU Bold Women's Basketball prove the critics wrong?