The University of Toronto Varsity Blues are proud to announce that former Canadian women's national basketball team member and two-time Olympian, Tamara Tatham, is the new full-time assistant coach with the women's basketball program, effective immediately.

"Tamara is a proven winner at every level and we are thrilled that she will now be a part of our coaching staff", said Beth Ali, executive director, athletics and physical activity. "Her experience nationally and internationally with Team Canada is exemplary. This experience combined with her knowledge of the game and her leadership ability, makes her the perfect fit for our program. From all accounts, her transition from player to coach will be a smooth one."

Tatham played with the Canadian senior women's national basketball team from 2007-2016. Her national career encompasses two Olympic Games, attending both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, two Pan American Games, six FIBA Americas championships, and two FIBA world championships.

"Coaching is a great way to stay connected with the sport that has shaped me into the strong woman that I am today", said Tatham. "I absolutely love basketball and being able to teach young women and help guide them on a path to success on and off the court will be an exhilarating and gratifying experience." 

Her esteemed national team career is highlighted with a gold medal from the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games, where Canada defeated the United States, 81-73, to claim the first ever Pan Am gold medal in basketball, men or women. The 6-1 power forward and her teammates parlayed that success into a second championship at the 2015 FIBA Americas, where they defeated Cuba in the final to earn their ticket to Brazil.

"I'm really excited to join the Varsity Blues family! It's going to be exciting to see how I can continue to inspire young female athletes through giving all I can with the knowledge I've gained through my many years as a pro", continued Tatham. "Being in this new role as an assistant coach is a blessing. I look forward to working with Michele Belanger who is a very good and very experienced coach."

Prior to her time with the senior women's national team, Tatham's basketball career blossomed at the University of Massachusetts (2004-2007). Named team captain in her final two seasons, she became just the 11^th player in program history to surpass 1000 career points.

Tatham earned a bachelor's degree in sports management and interned with the UMass athletics department.

After graduation, Tatham traveled overseas playing with various international clubs from 2008-2017 including Lappenranta Catz (Finland), Halle Lions (Germany), Piestanske Cajky (Slovakia), Townsville Fire (Australia), and Dynamo Novosibirsk (Russia).

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