UNMATCHED moderator
Nathalie Cook
Join us at the UNMATCHED Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by Tennis Canada and National Bank
UNMATCHED is coming to the National Bank Open presented by Rogers on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, as part of the tournament’s new 12-day format and redefined on-site programming. The conference will be staged at Sobeys Stadium prior to the start of the quarter-final matches.
What your experience includes:
- Three experience options available: UNMATCHED
Access, Play or Team, with tickets offered as singles, 6-passes and 12-passes. A half-day conference with a panel, fireside chats, "Ted"-style talks, and a keynote conversation. - Option to attend the conference only, or choose a package with tennis (upper or lower bowl options), for the National Bank Open semi-finals
- Lunch and snacks throughout the day
Networking opportunities with leaders in equity and inclusion - Exclusive gift bag
- Networking reception before the start of the tennis matches
- Option to upgrade to a VIP Team experience- contact us at temelini@tenniscanada.com
Ticket options
UNMATCHED Access
Full conference access, including: lunch, networking, gift bag, and parking
- Single ticket $395.50 per person
- 6-pass $355.95 per person
- 12-pass $316.40 per person
UNMATCHED Play
All conference Acces benefits plus 25% off with your bundled ticket for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
Conference + Tennis starting at:
- Single ticket $465.56 per person
- 6-pass $428.27 per person
- 12-pass $392.11 per person
SOLD OUT - UNMATCHED Team
For groups of 12+ eager to experience the conference as a team, enjoy an unforgettable evening of live, world-class tennis action from the comfort of a private suite at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
An UNMATCHED Recommendation
‼️ Embrace this year's theme of Stronger Together. When purchasing a six or 12-person package, commit to providing one seat at the table (or more) to a next-gen, self-identifying woman leader.
What to expect
Dawn Staley is coming to UNMATCHED
Tennis Canada is delighted to announce University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Head Coach and leading gender equity advocate Dawn Staley as the keynote speaker of the 2025 UNMATCHED: Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by National Bank.
Further emphasizing that we are Stronger Together in advocating for gender equity in sport, Staley’s participation in this year's event marks the first time the keynote will be from outside of the tennis ecosystem, as she follows a list of prestigious past speakers including Billie Jean King (2022), Maria Sharapova (2023) and Venus Williams (2024).
Canadian Olympic gold medalist Mark Tewksbury will serve as the host of the conference.
Driven by this year’s conference theme, Stronger Together, reflecting the belief that progress in gender equity is only possible when we work across roles, communities, and sectors, the event will be split into three sections: GAME, SET and EQUITY, named after Tennis Canada and National Bank’s groundbreaking women and girls’ commitment.
Senator Farah Mohamed will deliver the opening remarks.
1. GAME
Panel: Investing in Impact – The Corporate Role in Growing Women’s Sport
Moderated by Nathalie Cook, this panel brings together leaders from National Bank, Canadian Tire, and the Toronto Tempo to explore how and why brands and private equity are prioritizing the business of women’s sport and what it will take to sustain change. Nathalie will take the stage with industry leaders including Lisa Ferkul, Chief Revenue Officer of the Toronto Tempo, and Jennifer Plenert, Senior Vice President and National Manager at National Bank Financial.
2. SET
This segment will offer a dynamic exploration of how community minded leadership, progressive policies and diverse voices converge to drive measurable social impact and legacy in sport.
Through a series of engaging SET Talks—short, TED-style presentations —we plan to spotlight dedicated work advancing gender equity, progressive policies, and grassroots innovation. Marci Ien will speak about her latest work with the ReThinkSport project, spotlight Philpott Children's Tennis and the Hijabi Ballers – who are past and present recipients of the Game. Set. Equity. Community Tennis Grants - as well as approaches to building inclusive and accessible sport.
3. EQUITY
Keynote: Fireside conversation with Dawn Staley
Join Dawn Staley, a basketball legend and trailblazer across sport, for an inspiring fireside chat moderated by Tamika Nurse. Drawing from her storied career as a player and coach, as well as her dedication to empowering young women athletes, Dawn will share powerful insights on leadership, equity, and nurturing the next generation of changemakers transforming the world of sport.
More to come—keep an eye out!
Plan your visit
- Date : Tuesday, August 5, 2025
- Doors Open: 11:00AM
- Lunch & Networking : 11:00AM - 12:00PM
- Networking Reception: 3:30PM - 5:00PM
- End of conference : 5:00PM
11:00 a.m. DOORS OPEN
12:15 p.m. OPENING REMARKS
Mark Tewksbury, Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist
Remarks from;
- Councillor Erma Ferrell, Pillar 5 Lead: Cultural Awareness,
Communications and Outreach
- Tennis Canada Welcome from Jennifer Bishop, Member of the Board and
Past Chair, Tennis Canada
1. GAME.
12:35 p.m. Unlocking UNMATCHED Investment in Sport
moderated by Nathalie Cook, President, Mr.MomMusic Inc.
Panelists:
- Jennifer Plenert. Senior Vice President & National Manager, National Bank
FInancial
- Eva Salem, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Brand, Canadian Tire
Corporation
- Lisa Ferkul, Chief Revenue Officer, Tempo Basketball Club
- Mike Morreale, Co-Founder and Commissioner, Canadian Elite Basketball
League
Learn about the nuances of investing in women’s sports from the unique
perspectives of corporate, recipient, and investors.
1:05 p.m. UNMATCHED Award Presentation
1:10 p.m. FUEL BREAK
2. SET.
11:20 p.m. 1:40 p.m. The Making of a Sport Superfan and Super Advocate with Nav Bhatia
moderated by Mark Tewksbury
A conversation about building fandom, community, and a sense of belonging
from THE Superfan.
SET TALK: Reimagining the future of community sport
moderated by Eva Havaris, Senior Vice President, Tennis Development &
Partnerships, Tennis Canada
- Marci Ien, Chair, ReThink Sport Initiative
- Jennifer Bishop, Member of the Board and Past Chair, Tennis Canada
- Harshavi Patel, Tennis Coach, Philpott Children’s Tennis
- Amreen Kadwa, Executive Director and Founder
- Habibah Haque, Chair, Hijabi Ballers
A collective discussion on the role that policy and true leadership plays within
community sport, and examples of real impact from corporate support.
3. EQUITY
2:00 p.m. Serving Equity Insights with Steve Simon, Former CEO, WTA
in conversation with The Honorable Senator Farah Mohamed
A leader’s journey in helping accelerate women’s professional tennis and the
future of the sport.
2:20 p.m. Recognition Award
by Gavin Ziv, Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada
2:30 p.m. FUEL BREAK
2:40 p.m. EQUITY.
Leading beyond limits, a conversation with Dawn Staley
Head Coach, University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Team and NY
Times Best Selling Author, moderated by Tamika Nurse, TSN Basketball Analyst
A fireside chat with an accomplished leader on and off the court and peek into
the adversities she overcame.
3:25 p.m. CLOSING REMARKS from Mark Tewksbury
3:30 to 5 p.m. BEYOND THE NET(WORK) reception
New in 2025, all delegates are invited to join us at the Beyond the Net(work) post-conference reception at the Stella Artois Racquet Club located on-site at Sobeys Stadium
Tennis Canada and the UNMATCHED Conference are partnering with Makeway on SOLEMATCH — a sneaker drive initiative that provides girls with shoes to empower them both on and off the court, benefiting local community partners. Each donation serves as an entry into a contest to win two tickets to the UNMATCHED Conference in Toronto. Donations can be made in advance as well as on-site at the conference. For more information, click here.
*times are approximate
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