The Brock Badgers women's basketball team has retooled with seven new athletes joining the program for the upcoming season.
"We're excited to welcome this year's recruiting class and our talented transfer student-athletes to the program," said interim head coach Ajay Sharma. "Each of them brings unique strengths, a strong work ethic, and a desire to grow."
Hailey Fennema, Katie Firth, Kaleah Gosse, Lucy Machida-Glendall, Avery Miles, Liz Shapero and Grace VanDenHoek were announced as the newest Badgers on Wednesday, July 29.
"We believe they'll fit in seamlessly with our returning players, helping us build on the culture and foundation we've established," Sharma said. "Our coaching staff is looking forward to developing this group and seeing what we can accomplish together this season."
Hailey Fennema
Height: 5-10 | Position: Guard
Hometown: Stoney Creek, Ont. | High School: Orchard Park Secondary School | Club Team: Hamilton Yellow Jackets
Program: Concurrent Education
Highlights: 2025 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) senior city champion, 2022 HWDSB junior city champion, 3-time HWDSB all-star, 2025 JUEL (Junior Elite League of Ontario) bronze medallist, 2024 JUEL Prep champion, 2025 JUEL First Team All-Star, 2024 JUEL Prep First Team All-Star
Quote: "Brock University offers the perfect balance of academics and a supportive and tight-knit community. It is a place where I can grow, meet new people and felt like home the moment I stepped on campus."
Katie Firth
Height: 5-11 | Position: Guard/Forward
Hometown: Orangeville, Ont. | High School: Orangeville District Secondary School | Former University Team: Acadia Axewomen
Program: Medical Sciences
Highlights: 2025 CWENCH All-Canadian Game nominee, 2024 All-Canadian Next Ones Up Game, 2023 BioSteel Futures Game
Quote: "I chose Brock because of its strong basketball program, competitive culture and the chance to grow and challenge myself in a new environment. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to represent Brock in a competitive setting, play close to home and continue developing my game alongside my teammates."
Kaleah Gosse
Height: 5-8 | Position: Guard
Hometown: Toronto, Ont. | High School: Bond Academy | Former University Team: Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
Program: Kinesiology
Highlights: 2024-25 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) All-Rookie Team, FIL-CAN Nation tournament all-star selection
Quote: "What excites me most about playing for the Brock Badgers is the opportunity to be part of a program with a strong culture and high standards. I'm grateful for the chance to learn from the coaching staff, compete alongside great teammates and continue growing as a player and person."
Lucy Machida-Glendall
Height: 6-1 | Position: Forward
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont. | High School: Saltfleet District High School | Club Team: Hamilton Yellow Jackets
Program: Concurrent Education
Highlights: 2022 & 2024 HWDSB senior city champion, two-time HDWSB all-star, 2025 JUEL bronze medallist, 2024 JUEL Prep champion,
Quote: "With my upcoming first season, I look forward to meeting the team and beginning to mesh together. With it being a heavy first-year roster, I'm excited to see how we develop and grow in unison."
Avery Miles
Height: 5-9 | Position: Guard
Hometown: Barrie, Ont. | High School: Maple Ridge Secondary School | Club Team: Simcoe United Spartans
Program: Concurrent Education
Highlights: 2024 & 2025 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) AAA gold medallist, four-time Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSAA) champion, two-time GBSAA all-star, four-time Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) champion, 2026 JUEL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
Quote: "I'm most looking forward to a new culture and getting to know the new girls while being able to play with each other. Brock has one of the top Concurrent Education programs, and the campus appealed to me."
Liz Shapero
Height: 5-8 | Position: Guard
Hometown: Toronto, Ont. | High School: Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School | Club Team: Triple Threat
Program: Kinesiology
Highlights: 2023 OFSAA AAA women's basketball qualifier, 2024 OFSAA AAA women's volleyball qualifier
Quote: "I chose to attend Brock because I love the atmosphere and how the community comes out to support their sports. I also connected with the team staff and saw a good fit for myself here."
Grace VanDenHoek
Height: 6-4 | Position: Centre
Hometown: Terra Cotta, Ont. | High School: Toronto District Christian High School | Club Team: Centre Wellington Celtics
Program: Kinesiology
Highlights: 2026 TDChristian Female Athlete of the Year, 2026 Ontario Basketball Association (G-Elite) Senior Defensive Team, U18 Canada East Women's Rugby Camp (women's rugby), 2025 Canadian Rugby Championship silver medallist
Quote: "I'm most excited for a chance to play the sports I love at a high level with some amazing teammates. I'm looking forward to seeing how far the team goes this year. There's a lot of potential, and we have awesome athletes who work together very well."
