Belonging Starts Here: How Chantal Brioux Is Building a Sisterhood in Sports

By Holly Arend

In an industry where women are often asked to prove themselves before they’re even seen, The Sport Sisterhood is flipping the narrative. What started as a craving for connection has grown into a movement—uniting hundreds of young women across the globe who are ready to take up space in sports, support each other, and redefine what belonging looks like. We sat down with founder Chantal Brioux to talk about the moment it all started, the power of community, and how The Sisterhood is helping the next generation of women in sports rise—together.

What inspired you to start The Sport Sisterhood, and what gap did you see in the sports industry that needed to be filled?

I started The Sport Sisterhood because I was craving a space where women in sports could just be. Be real, be vulnerable, be celebrated. I kept meeting incredible young women doing amazing things across the industry, but we were all scattered, feeling like we had to prove ourselves in silos. I wanted to create a centralized community for young women that wasn’t competitive — it was collaborative, empowering, and built around connection. The gap wasn’t just lack of opportunity; it was the lack of belonging.

The sports world isn’t always the easiest place for women—how is The Sport Sisterhood working to change that narrative?

We’re flipping the script by rewriting the way women show up in sports, together. From the collegiate level, we’re showing young women the power of community early in their careers. We connect them with industry professionals from across the globe, not just to inspire them, but to equip them with the skills, connections, and confidence they need to break into the industry.

Beyond mentorship, we’re also giving our members a platform to showcase their work, build their portfolios, and gain hands-on experience that helps them stand out. Whether it’s writing, media, content creation, or event planning, we’re creating real opportunities for them to develop and sharpen their skills in a space that sees their potential before anyone else does.

Since launching, what’s been a moment where you thought, “This is bigger than we ever imagined”?

I will be the first to admit I am not a content creator (yet), and after one of our posts hit 1 Million views on TikTok, we had hundreds of women apply from across continents. I had a moment where I just paused - we went from fourty young minds to over 400 in the matter of minutes. We went onto a talk show, and professional teams like Toronto Tempo and AFC Toronto reposted our work and amplified our message. That kind of recognition showed us that the industry is not only watching — it's listening to its incoming trailblazers.

And honestly, it’s not just the big names. Sometimes it’s the quiet DMs that hit hardest, like “I landed a role because of a Sisterhood connection,” or “I finally feel like I belong here.” That’s when I realized we’re on the path toward building a movement.

Community is at the heart of what you do—how do you foster real, meaningful connections both online and in person?

It all starts with creating spaces where women in sports can just be—whether that means celebrating a big win, venting about a tough loss, or learning about a sport they’ve never followed before. Our sports chats are where those conversations happen. Some of our members are die-hard fans, others are just getting into the game, but no matter where you fall on that spectrum, you always have a place in the discussion.

Then there’s our Sisterhood Snapshot Calls (which are some of my favorite moments). These are small-group mentorship sessions where recent grads who are earlier in their professional careers share their experiences with those coming up behind them. It’s real talk, no gatekeeping, just women helping women navigate an industry that doesn’t always make it easy.

And that’s what makes The Sport Sisterhood so special. We’re all on different paths, but we’re united by one goal: making sure no woman in sports ever feels like she’s in it alone. That’s what turns a network into a sisterhood.

You’ve already supported major initiatives like Arsenal Women’s period campaign—how do you choose which causes to champion, and why are they so important to your mission?

We align with causes that reflect the real, lived experiences of women in sport. Menstrual equity, mental health, pay equity, and access to opportunity aren’t just issues — they’re everyday realities for so many of our members. If it’s something that would’ve helped us feel seen earlier in our journeys, we champion it. We also listen — our community leads the charge and we respond to what they care about most.

If someone joins The Sport Sisterhood today, what can they expect? What kind of support and opportunities do you offer?

Whether you’re in high school, college, grad school, or pivoting mid-career, we’re here to support you. Members get access to bi-weekly chats with women across the industry. Offering a chance to introduce yourself, ask questions, and build mentorship relationships in a more personal way.

We also offer exclusive panel access, discounted games, and Sisterhood-run events as part of our membership program. Plus, through tutorials, workshops, and portfolio-building projects, we help you build your brand, prep for interviews, and feel confident stepping into the sports world.

Our goal is to help you discover what moves you, and support your journey there with the strength of sisterhood.. We know that girlhood means showing up for each other, so we’re here to lift you up and cheer you on every step of the way.

What are some common challenges women face breaking into sports, and how do you empower your members to overcome them?

Women face imposter syndrome, lack of access, gatekeeping, and the pressure to constantly prove their worth. At The Sisterhood, we tackle those challenges head-on by providing tools, mentorship, and community. When you see women like you thriving in roles you dream of, it suddenly feels possible. We remind each other that we are not alone, and we never have to do it alone again.

Who are some women in sports that inspire you and embody the values of The Sport Sisterhood?

Ahhh there are SO many. People like Kayla Grey, Haley Rosen, and Candace Parker — women who despite being in the public eye, continue to lead with authenticity and aren’t afraid to take up space. But I’m also inspired by the everyday leaders in our community. My mentor, Alisa Ermarkaryan, who continues to inspire me to be a voice for young women in the industry, members of The Sisterhood who began mentoring each other, female coaches at the grassroots level encouraging little girls to stay in sport. They all embody Sisterhood: bold, kind, and unstoppable.

Collaboration seems to be a big part of your DNA—if you could work with any brand, team, or athlete, who’s at the top of your list?

Right now, Arsenal WFC is at the top of our list. We’re huge fans of how they’ve been pushing the women’s game forward and would love the opportunity to collaborate with them to amplify our shared passion for women’s football.

As a Canadian, women-founded company, we’re also really excited about building a deeper connection with the NSL and its teams. There’s so much potential to grow women’s sports locally, and we want to be part of that movement, supporting the rise of Canadian women in sports both here and globally. As a former high-performance soccer player, I’m especially excited to see so many young Canadian superstars take centre stage.

You’ve built something special—what advice would you give to other women looking to create space for themselves in industries that aren’t always welcoming?

Don’t wait for permission. If the space you want doesn’t exist, build it. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you just need purpose, people, and persistence. Lean on community, lead with heart, and remember: you belong in every room you walk into, even if you’re the first one there.

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the experiences of women working in sports?

That we’re not asking for special treatment — we’re asking for equal opportunity. That looks like pay equity, safety, respect, and real pathways for growth. We bring value, perspective, and heart to every part of the industry, we just want a system that recognizes it.

Beyond the events and panels, how do you see The Sport Sisterhood evolving in the next five years?

I see us becoming the go-to network for young women in sport globally, with international summits, and our own mentorship and media platforms. I want to be sitting in the stands at major championships across the globe with Sisterhood members working in every part of the arena: media, ops, partnerships, and everything in between.

What has surprised you most about the impact of The Sport Sisterhood on both members and the broader sports community?

What has surprised me most is how quickly our members have turned into powerful advocates for each other. The way they support one another, share opportunities, and lift each other up has been incredible. It’s created a ripple effect not only within our community but also in the wider sports world, showing just how much strength and potential there is when women come together.

How do you balance being professional and still having fun while building a brand that’s pushing for real change?

We don’t believe those things are mutually exclusive. Our tone is always warm, real, and a little cheeky because we’re building a space that feels like your group chat and your boardroom at the same time. We take our mission seriously, but we never lose our joy or sense of play. That’s what keeps us going.

If you had to sum up The Sport Sisterhood’s mission in one sentence, what would it be?

Can I do one word? If so, I would say belonging. We create a space to empower women in sports by creating a supportive community where they can connect, grow, and champion each other’s success.

The Sport Sisterhood isn’t just a network—it’s a revolution in cleats and sneakers, blazers and broadcast booths. It’s proof that when women are given the space to show up fully, support one another, and share their stories, the entire game changes. As Chantal Brioux’s Sisterhood continues to grow, one thing is clear: the future of sports isn’t just bright—it’s bold, inclusive, and unmistakably hers.

Belonging Starts Here: How Chantal Brioux Is Building a Sisterhood in Sports

Recent Posts

Comments