Vicky Brown is a regular at the Gull and Firkin pub in the city’s east end.ÌýNever, in all her visits, has she seen it as busy as it was Saturday morning, stuffed with women’s rugby fans screaming, slamming their phones, gesticulating wildly, beer foam sloshing, cheering, scowlingÌý— vocalizing the whole gamut of powerful feelingsÌýthatÌýbeing part of a historic moment can engender.Ìý
It was, to her, a delight.Ìý
When the dust settled at Allianz Stadium inÌýLondon, U.K., the final tally in the Women’s Rugby World Cup championship match did not reflect the hopes the patrons at theÌýQueen Street and Woodbine Avenue barÌýhad for Team Canada.
England’s Goliath had bested Canada’s David 33-13. But, as one patron sitting at the bar up close to the screen declared when the whistle blew, a silver medal is still “pretty goddamn good.” Particularly for a team that had to solicit donations from the public to help cover costs.
Canadian fans are calling for more support to grow the sport at home as the Women’s Rugby World Cup puts a spotlight on the game. Canada fell 33-13 to England in the final, seeking its first title after also losing to England in the 2014 championship game. (Sept. 27, 2025)
The Canadian Press“The turnout here represents how recognized women’s sports have become,” said Brown. “This, and the Canadian women’s soccer team, are making a place on the international stage for Canadian women. It’s so important for the younger generation to see them and see everything they’ve achieved.”Ìý
Derek Ladouceur knows that to be true. His 15-year-old daughter, a rugby player herself, was just a short walk away at the time watching the game with her teammates at theÌýBalmy Beach Club. He said interest in her sport “exploded” last year when Canada’s women’s Olympic rugby teamÌýtook home silver at the Paris games in 2024Ìý—Ìýthanks, in part, to the efforts of Ladouceur family friend Asia Hogan-Rochester, who also played in Saturday’s World Cup game.Ìý
Vicky Brown watches as England celebrates their win.Ìý
Steve Russell/º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStarCanada’s achievement on the rugby pitch this year, particularly ending New Zealand’s eight-year reign as world champion, will doubtlessly inspire even more young women to take up the sport, he said.
“This is the first time a Canadian team has made it to the World Cup final,” he said. “It’s just massive. It’s massive. This is a team that had to crowdfund to get here. And here they are playing the No. 1 ranked team in the world in front of 80,000 people.”
Community members in the Beach gather at the Gull and Firkin to watch the women’s world rugby final between Canada and England in Toronto.
Steve Russell/º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStarTerry Brown (no relation to Vicky) concurred. Win or lose, he said he’s still tremendously proud of the team and how far they made it, in spite of the disadvantages they had.Ìý
“They were given nowhere near the financial support that any of the other leading women’s nations were,” he said. “And we still beat New Zealand convincingly. I’m very proud of that.”Ìý
Community members in the Beach gather at the Gull and Firkin to watch the women’s world rugby final between Canada and England in Toronto.
Steve Russell/º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøStarTerry and his friend,ÌýCharlie Dougall, say this near-championship run has meant a lot to their families. Terry’s daughter and granddaughter, who don’t usually watch sports, were riveted by Saturday’s match. Dougall’s daughter was planning on coming to the pub soon as her schedule allowed.Ìý
“I think this means a lot to Canadian women,” said Dougall. “If you told people 25 years ago that this many people would be in a bar watching women’s sports, you wouldn’t be believed. It’s great. It’s huge for women’s sports.”
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