From hobby to passion: breaking barriers for older women in sports

Hobbies change throughout one’s life, but sometimes they can turn into a passion. That is the case for Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) alumna Vicky Merrick, Radio and Television Arts (RTA) ’81, and her love of basketball.

“One of the best things about basketball is it’s cheap,” Merrick said. “It can be played year-round in Canada and it can be very accessible.” 

Merrick runs the Toronto Chill, a senior women’s basketball team which has been selected for the Granny Basketball League (external link, opens in new window)  in the United States as the league’s first Canadian team.

The Granny Basketball League was founded in 2005 to encourage older women to stay active and engaged in team sports, including modifying the rules to allow women aged 50 or older to play safely. After visiting Minneapolis to watch a game, Merrick was inspired to apply for the Toronto Chill to join the league. 

“I knew it had to come to Toronto because Toronto is a basketball town now,” recalled Merrick. “So when the news came through [that we were accepted], I was so excited, but terrified at the same time.”

Individual sports are common for older women but there is a significant gap in team sports. Merrick explained that having team sports for older women can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, while encouraging them to stay active.

“No longer is the older woman reduced to book clubs, knitting groups or art lessons,” said Merrick. “This league encourages fitness and friendships, and even has a charitable component with charity games — raising funds while providing a fun afternoon of exercise.”

Merrick’s love for basketball started in childhood and continued to grow during her years at TMU. Though she was only able to play on the university’s team for a year due to personal circumstances, she remains thankful for the experience. 

“Playing basketball at TMU was when I actually learned the game properly and learned the fundamentals properly,” said Merrick. “That really became the beginning of my journey to learn the sport better.” 

Merrick added that her overall time at TMU, including her experience as a RTA student, has helped her develop transferable skills that she currently uses running the Toronto Chill.  

“My time at TMU was formative and transformational for me,” said Merrick. “I got my confidence and I learned about teamwork by being involved in RTA.” 

Merrick played basketball throughout her 20s, but in her 30s, she and her family moved to Barbados, where she said there were not many opportunities for her to continue to play. But upon returning to Canada in 2014, her love for basketball brought her back to TMU to attend games.

By advocating for older women in team sports, Merrick is breaking societal barriers while empowering those around her. Now, her goal is to spread the word about the Toronto Chill and encourage older women to join. She hopes to eventually expand the number of teams in Toronto for the Granny Basketball League and to soon have hundreds of older women stepping out of their comfort zones to stay active.

“I don’t want women my age or older to say, ‘I’m getting too old for that,’” she said. “I don’t like that expression.”