WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks women's basketball team will head north this fall to compete in the inaugural North of 60 Classic Presented by Air North in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Hosted by Basketball NWT, the preseason tournament will bring together teams from across Canada for five days of competition, athlete development, and community engagement from October 7-12. 

Laurier will join the University of Victoria, University of Lethbridge, University of Toronto, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Lakehead University at the first-of-its-kind event, which aims to showcase university basketball while creating meaningful opportunities for youth in Northern communities. 

For Golden Hawks manager of women's basketball operations and head coach Megan Reid, the tournament offers a chance to make an impact that extends beyond the court. 

"We're incredibly excited to be part of the North of 60 Classic and the opportunity it provides for our student-athletes to connect with the Yellowknife community through both competition and youth basketball clinics," said Reid, who is entering her fifth season as an OUA head coach and second with the Golden Hawks. "This trip is about more than basketball – it's an opportunity to help grow the game, build meaningful relationships, and create experiences that leave a lasting impact on everyone involved." 

More than a traditional preseason tournament, the North of 60 Classic is designed to connect university student-athletes with local youth through mentorship opportunities and exposure to post-secondary pathways in sport. Young athletes from across the Northwest Territories will have the chance to learn from high-performance athletes and coaches while seeing firsthand the opportunities available through university athletics. 

The event also aims to address barriers unique to Northern athletes, who are often required to travel significant distances to gain exposure and access to high-level competition. By bringing university programs directly to Yellowknife, the tournament represents an important step toward creating more equitable opportunities for Northern youth. 

"As a university program, we recognize the privilege of having a platform, and with that comes a responsibility to use it in a positive and accessible way," Reid said. "Being able to share the sport with young athletes, make basketball more accessible, and spend time in the community is something our team values deeply." 

The event will also shine a spotlight on Northern talent, with four Yellowknife athletes returning home to compete with their respective university programs, including former Golden Hawks alum Janet Enge. A Yellowknife native, Enge is continuing her graduate studies while competing with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and has played an instrumental role in helping bring the event to life. 

"I am beyond excited to play in front of the community that gave me my passion for basketball and to share the beautiful culture of Yellowknife with my teammates and fellow hoopers from across the country," said Enge in a release.

For Laurier, the experience offers an opportunity to connect with communities that often face unique barriers to pursuing high-performance sport while showcasing the opportunities available through university athletics. 

In addition to competition on the court, participating teams will take part in Indigenous cultural learning experiences and community activities throughout their stay. The programming is designed to deepen visiting athletes' understanding of the North and the challenges that athletes from remote communities can encounter while pursuing sport at the next level. 

The North of 60 Classic represents a rare opportunity for university programs from coast to coast to come together in the North, celebrating basketball's ability to inspire, connect communities and create new opportunities for the next generation of athletes. 

"We hope our players can inspire the next generation, show young people what's possible through sport, and maybe even light a fire in a future athlete who dreams of playing at the next level," said Reid. "The connections we make and the experiences we share through these clinics will be every bit as important as the games we play on the court." 

The Golden Hawks will announce tournament schedules and additional event details closer to October.