Fanshawe Falcons women's basketball team set to try to climb one rung higher in 2026-27
The Fanshawe Falcons women’s basketball team came so close to winning it all in 2025-26.
The Falcons captured their third OCAA championship in seven years and advanced to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship in Montreal. There, they beat the host Dawson Blues in the semi-final to reach the title game.
It’s as close as you can get. Only one more win.
But only one of the two teams on the floor gets that victory. In 2025-26, it was the Vancouver Island University Mariners, who beat the Falcons 72-58.
It was the first time Fanshawe had ever advanced to a national final in women's basketball and there are always two ways to look at that kind of finish.
You can let it be a disappointment, or you can make it a motivator.
The Falcons women’s program is one of the strongest in the country. It has enjoyed the stability of having Bill Carriere, Theresa Carriere and their daughters, Katelyn who is the lead assistant coach and Nicole who is the team's Varsity Officer at the helm.
“When you get that close, it’s inspiring,” Bill says.
That tells you all you need to know about what the Carrieres and their players took from last year’s CCAA championships.
Bill and Theresa are both in their second stints as coaches at Fanshawe. Theresa starred as a player at the school, so much so that she was inducted into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
“This summer was a lot of fun,” Bill says. “Our girls are excited to get back into it, and just the fact that we were so close, the girls are eager and working hard.”
Getting to the end of any road gives you a good idea of just how long that road is. People who know what it takes to make it there bring something intangible to a team. It can’t be told to players. It can’t be taught.
“We have eight girls returning from last year’s team, which is pretty good,” Bill says.
Key names include Sidney Deleary, Edith Eseme, Janelle Almeriego and Myra Ciccerelli.
The Falcons do face one big loss, in every sense. Ashlyn Anderson, a six-foot-three power forward who was the OCAA Player of the Year last season.
Without her, some things will change on offence in 2026-27.
“We’re back to a guard-oriented team,” Bill says. “We’re going to run, we’re going to defend and we’re going to play everybody pretty tough.”
The goal will always be a trip to the CCAA championships, but there’s work to do first. Even after years of coaching, Bill admits he looks forward to this time of year, when everything begins again.
“What I love is seeing other teams and how they get better, and what we need to do to beat our biggest competition,” he says. “I know the competition is going to be tough again this year, especially in the West.”
Add in the fact that Bill gets to do what he loves alongside his wife and family. It’s a rare opportunity, and one he appreciates.
“The fun for me comes from my family. The coaching experience, coaching with my daughters and my wife, that makes it a lot easier.”
Fanshawe opens their season at Lambton College on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. The Falcons play their home opener Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Glenn Johnston Athletic Centre.