U Sports women's basketball is the highest level of play of women's basketball at the university level under the auspices of U Sports, Canada's governing body for university sports. There are 48 teams, all of which are based in Canada, that are divided into four conferences that are eligible to compete for the year-end championship. As these players compete at the university level, they are obligated to follow the rule of standard eligibility of five years. The winning team of the U Sports women's basketball championship is awarded the Bronze Baby trophy. The championship has been played for since 1972, with the UBC Thunderettes capturing the inaugural championship.
History A national university women's basketball championship in Canada was founded in 1972 as the Canadian Women's Interuniversity Athletic Union, and has been named over time as the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (1979-2001), Canadian Interuniversity Sport (2001-2016), and is now branded as U Sports. This national league was created after the growth of women's sport and merger of regional conferences in the late 60s and early 70s.
Participating Universities As of the 2019–2020 U Sports season, 48 of the 56 U Sports member institutions have women's basketball teams. The teams are split into four conferences with some conferences splitting teams further into divisions. With the addition of Ontario Tech for the 2019–20 season, the OUA moved to three six-team divisions. The Canada West conference had two divisions, but reverted to a one conference format for the 2016–17 season with 17 teams. The AUS conference has eight teams while the RSEQ conference has five.
Atlantic University Sport
UniversityVarsity NameCityProvinceSchoolFoundedArenaArenaCapacity Acadia UniversityAxewomen Wolfville, Annapolis ValleyNS1838 Cape Breton UniversityCapers Sydney, Nova Scotia NS 1951 Dalhousie UniversityTigersHalifaxNS1818Dalhousie Memorial Arena1,280 Memorial University of NewfoundlandSea-Hawks Saint John's NL 1925 University of Prince Edward IslandPanthersCharlottetownPEI1969MacLauchlan Arena Saint Mary's UniversityHuskiesHalifaxNS1802Alumni Arena1,000 St. Francis Xavier UniversityX-WomenAntigonishNS1853Charles V. Keating Centre1,500 University of New BrunswickRedsFrederictonNB1785Aitken University Centre3,278
Canada West Universities Athletic Association
UniversityVarsity NameCityProvinceSchoolFoundedArenaArenaCapacity University of AlbertaPandasEdmontonAB1908Clare Drake Arena3,000 Brandon UniversityBobcats BrandonMB 1889 University of British ColumbiaThunderbirdsVancouverBC1906Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre5,054 University of CalgaryDinosCalgaryAB1966Father David Bauer Olympic Arena1,750 University of the Fraser ValleyCascades Abbotsford, Agassiz, Chilliwack, Hope & Mission, British ColumbiaBC1974 University of LethbridgeHorns Lethbridge AB1967 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport & Wellness2,000 MacEwan UniversityGriffinsEdmontonAB1971Downtown Community Arena1,000 University of ManitobaBisonsWinnipegMB1877Max Bell Centre2,121 Mount Royal UniversityCougarsCalgaryAB1931Flames Community Arenas500 University of Northern British ColumbiaTimberwolves Prince George BC1990 University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) Heat Kelowna BC University of ReginaCougarsReginaSK1974The Co-Operators Centre1,300 University of SaskatchewanHuskiesSaskatoonSK1907Merlis Belsher Place2,300 Thompson Rivers UniversityWolfPackKamloopsBC1970Tournament Capital Centre Trinity Western UniversitySpartansLangleyBC1962Langley Events Centre5,300 University of VictoriaVikes VictoriaBC1963 University of Winnipeg Wesmen WinnipegMB1871
Ontario University Athletics
East Division UniversityVarsity NameCityProvinceSchoolFoundedArenaArenaCapacity Carleton UniversityRavensOttawaON1952 Laurentian University VoyageursSudbury ON 1960 Countryside Arena Nipissing University Lakers North Bay ON 1992 North Bay Memorial Gardens 4,246 Ontario Tech UniversityRidgebacksOshawaON2002Campus Ice Centre800 University of OttawaGee-GeesOttawaON1894Sport Complex Arena850 Queen's UniversityGaelsKingstonON1841Kingston Memorial Centre3,300
West Division UniversityVarsity NameCityProvinceSchoolFoundedArenaArenaCapacity Algoma UniversityThunderbirds Sault Ste. MarieON1965 University of GuelphGryphonsGuelphON1964Gryphon Centre Arena1,400 University of WaterlooWarriorsWaterlooON1957 Carl Totzke Court at the Physical Activities Complex 5,000 University of Western OntarioMustangsLondonON1878Thompson Arena Wilfrid Laurier UniversityGolden HawksWaterlooON1957Waterloo Recreation Complex3,400 University of WindsorLancersWindsorON1857
Central Division UniversityVarsity NameCityProvinceSchoolFoundedArenaArenaCapacity Brock UniversityBadgersSt. CatharinesON1964Seymour-Hannah Sports & Entertainment Centre1,400 Toronto Metropolitan UniversityBoldTorontoON1948Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens2,796 Lakehead University ThunderwolvesThunder Bay ON 1947 McMaster UniversityMarauders Hamilton ON1887 University of TorontoVarsity BluesTorontoON1827Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport2,000 York UniversityLionsTorontoON1959Tait McKenzie Centre
Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec
UniversityVarsity NameCityProvinceSchoolFoundedArenaArenaCapacity Bishop's UniversityGaitersSherbrookeQC1843Jane & Eric Molson Arena800 Concordia UniversityStingersMontrealQC1896Ed Meagher Arena Université LavalRouge et OrLavalQC1663 McGill UniversityMartletsMontrealQC1821 Université du Québec à MontréalCitadinsMontrealQC1969
Conference championships = Indicates national champion
Critelli Cup (OUA) The OUA postseason tournament champions are awarded the Critelli Cup.
Year Winning team Coach 2022 Ryerson Rams women's basketball Carly Clarke 2020 Brock Badgers women's basketball Mike Rao 2019 McMaster Marauders Theresa Burns 2018 Carleton Ravens women's basketball Taffe Charles 2017 Carleton Ravens women's basketball Taffe Charles 2016 Ryerson Rams women's basketball Carly Clarke 2015 Windsor Lancers women's basketball Chantal Vallée 2014 Windsor Lancers women's basketball Chantal Vallée 2013 Windsor Lancers women's basketball Chantal Vallée 2012 Ottawa Gee-Gees Andy Sparks 2011 Windsor Lancers women's basketball Chantal Vallée 2010 Windsor Lancers women's basketball Chantal Vallée 2009 Windsor Lancers women's basketball Chantal Vallée 2008 McMaster Marauders Theresa Burns 2007 York Lions 2006 McMaster Marauders Theresa Burns 2005 Guelph Gryphons 2004 Ottawa Gee-Gees Andy Sparks 2003 McMaster Marauders Theresa Burns 2002 Toronto Varsity Blues 2001 Queen's Golden Gaels 2000 Laurentian Voyageurs
Year Winning team Coach 1999 McMaster Marauders Theresa Burns 1998 Laurentian Voyageurs 1997 Toronto Varsity Blues 1996 Toronto Varsity Blues 1995 Laurentian Voyageurs 1994 Toronto Varsity Blues 1993 Laurentian Voyageurs 1992 Laurentian Voyageurs 1991 Laurentian Voyageurs Peter Ennis 1990 Laurentian Voyageurs Peter Ennis 1989 Toronto Varsity Blues 1988 Toronto Varsity Blues 1987 Laurentian Voyageurs 1986 Toronto Varsity Blues Michele Belanger 1985 Toronto Varsity Blues 1984 Toronto Varsity Blues 1983 Brock Badgers Pat Woodburn 1982 York Lions 1981 Laurentian Voyageurs 1980 Guelph Gryphons 1979 Laurentian Voyageurs Norm Vickery 1978 Laurentian Voyageurs Norm Vickery 1977 Laurentian Voyageurs Norm Vickery 1976 Laurentian Voyageurs Norm Vickery 1975 Laurentian Voyageurs Norm Vickery 1974 Western Mustangs 1973 Western Mustangs 1972 Western Mustangs
Championships by School Team Wins Losses Appearances Laurentian Lady Vees 14 14 2000 2000 Toronto Varsity Blues 9 (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2002) 7 (1982, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2008) 16 2002 2011 Windsor Lancers 6 1 (2012)7 2015 2015 McMaster Marauders 5 1 (2018) 6 2019 2019 TMU Bold (formerly Ryerson Rams) 2 2 (2015, 2020) 4 2022 2022 Western Mustangs 3 3 1974 1974 Carleton Ravens 2 3 (2011, 2013) 5 2018 2018 Ottawa Gee-Gees 2 3 (2010, 2016, 2019) 5 2012 2019 York Lions 2 2 2007 2007 Guelph Gryphons 2 2 2005 2005 Brock Badgers 1 1 (2022) 2 2020 2022 Queen's Golden Gaels 1 2 (2014, 2017) 3 2001 2017
MRC = Most Recent Championship MRA = Most Recent Appearance
Atlantic University Sport
2013-14: Saint Mary's 2012-13: Saint Mary's 2011-12: Acadia 2010-11: Cape Breton
2008-09: Cape Breton 2007-08: Memorial 2006-07: Memorial 2005-06: Cape Breton 2004-05: Memorial 1990-91: UNB
1970-71: UNB
1959-60: UNB 1958-59: UNB 1957-58: Mt. Allison 1956-57: UNB 1955-56: Dalhousie 1954-55: Dalhousie 1953-54: Dalhousie 1952-53: Dalhousie 1951-52: Acadia
Canada West Year Winning team Coach 2020 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball Lisa Thomaidis 2019 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball Lisa Thomaidis 2018 Regina Cougars Dave Taylor 2017 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball Lisa Thomaidis 2016 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball Lisa Thomaidis 2015 UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball Debbie Huband 2014 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball Lisa Thomaidis 2013 Regina Cougars Dave Taylor 2012 UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball Debbie Huband 2011 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball Lisa Thomaidis 2010 Simon Fraser Clan Bruce Langford 2008 UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball Debbie Huband 2007 UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball Debbie Huband
Championships by School Team Wins Losses Appearances Victoria Vikes women's basketball 17 (1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) 2000 2000 Saskatchewan Huskies women's basketball 8 (2006, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022) 2022 2022 UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball 8 (1973, 1974, 1975, 1994, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015) 2015 2015 Simon Fraser Clan 5 (2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010) 2010 2010 Regina Cougars 3 (2004, 2013, 2018) 1 (2019) 4 2018 2019 Alberta Pandas 0 1 (2020) 1 2020 Lethbridge Pronghorns 1 (1993) 1 1993 1993
Awards and honours U Sports championship MVP
2024-25 Gage Grassick, Saskatchewan 2023-24 Kali Pocrnic, Carleton 2022-23 Kali Pocrnic, Carleton 2021-22 Jama Bin-Edward, Toronto Metropolitan 2020-21 None 2019-20 Sabine Dukate, Saskatchewan 2018-19 Linnaea Harper, McMaster 2017-18 Elizabeth Leblanc, Carleton 2016-17 Alex Kiss-Rusk, McGill 2015-16 Dalyce Emmerson, Saskatchewan 2014-15 Korissa Williams, Windsor 2013-14 Miah-Marie Langlois, Windsor 2012-13 Korissa Williams, Windsor 2011-12 Miah-Marie Langlois, Windsor 2010-11 Miah-Marie Langlois, Windsor 2009-10 Robyn Buna, Simon Fraser 2008-09 Matteke Hutzler, Simon Fraser 2007-08 Erica McGuinness, UBC 2006-07 Laurelle Weigl, Simon Fraser 2005-06 Kelsey Blair, UBC 2004-05 Dani Langford, Simon Fraser 2003-04 Carrie Watson, UBC 2002-03 Lindsay Anderson, Victoria 2001-02 Teresa Kleindienst, Simon Fraser 2000-01 Cymone Bouchard, Regina 1999-00 Lindsay Brooke, Victoria 1998-99 Jackie Simon, Alberta 1997-98 Lindsay Brooke, Victoria 1996-97 Terri-Lee Johannesson, Manitoba 1995-96 Terri-Lee Johannesson, Manitoba 1994-95 Sandra Carroll, Winnipeg 1993-94 Sandra Carroll, Winnipeg 1992-93 Michelle Chambers, Winnipeg 1991-92 Jenny Sutton, Victoria 1990-91 Dianne Norman, Laurentian 1989-90 Shirlene McLean, Laurentian 1988-89 Veronica VanderSchee, Calgary 1987-88 Kim Bertholet, Manitoba 1986-87 Janet Fowler, Victoria 1985-86 Angela Orton, Toronto 1984-85 Lori Clarke, Victoria 1983-84 (*) Andrea Blackwell and Lynn Polson, Bishop's 1982-83 Andrea Blackwell, Bishop's 1981-82 Luanne Hebb, Victoria 1980-81 Shelly Godfrey, Victoria 1979-80 Carol Turney-Loos, Victoria 1978-79 Sylvia Sweeney, Laurentian 1977-78 Debbie Huband, Bishop’s co-winners/co-gagnants
Player of the year (Nan Copp Award)
2024-25 Gage Grassick, Saskatchewan 2023-24 Jayda Veinot, UNB 2022-23 Sarah Gates, McMaster 2021-22 Keylyn Filewich, Winnipeg 2020-21 Not Awarded (COVID-19) 2019-20 Jenna Mae Ellsworth, UPEI 2018-19 Sarah-Jane Marois, Laval 2017-18 Paloma Andreson, Acadia 2016-17 Danielle Boiago, McMaster 2015-16 Keneca Pingue-Giles, Ryerson