Womxn in the Game: Beyond the Game. Presenting Sijia Liu
After Sijia's basketball career at York University came to an end, Sijia Liu wasn't ready to leave the game behind. What started as sports reporting, and freelancing, eventually led her to a career in broadcasting, where she now works as a reporter and anchor at CP24, Toronto Breaking News.
Quick Profile
Name: Sijia Liu
Role: News Reporter / Anchor
Organization: CP24, Toronto Breaking News
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Instagram: @sijialiutv
Her Journey
Basketball was more than her favorite sport—it helped shape the person she is today. The resilience, teamwork, and ability to navigate setbacks that she learned on the court continue to guide her both professionally and personally.
The Work
As a journalist, Sijia believes curiosity and adaptability are essential. Whether covering breaking news or major sporting events, she relies on the same skills sports taught her: staying focused, thinking quickly, and being ready for whatever comes next.
In Her Words
“Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel outside your comfort zone.’
For the Next Generation
Sijia reminds the next generation to "stay open-minded and keep showing up. You may not always get the opportunity you're hoping for, but some of the best experiences in life and career come from opportunities you never saw coming."
Representation
Representation means creating opportunities for people who may not have traditionally had access to them. It helps ensure talented people get a chance regardless of their background.
Beyond the Game Means
Knowing your identity isn't limited to one thing. Sports are part of her story, but they don't define all of it. With faith, hard work, and an open mind, the possibilities are endless.
Full Q&A
Can you share your current role and how you first got involved?
I currently work as a reporter and anchor at CP24, Toronto’s Breaking News, and I’ve been in broadcasting for about nine years.
After I stopped playing university basketball, I still wanted to stay connected to the game, so I started in sports reporting, freelancing, and taking on different roles. Over time, I shifted into news, but I still get to cover some incredible sporting events, which always feels really special.
Did you play sports growing up? How did that (or not) shape your path?
Yes, I played a bunch of sports growing up, including volleyball and track and field, but basketball was always my favorite. I was fortunate enough to play at York University, and looking back, the sport shaped so much of who I am today.
Basketball taught me resilience. It taught me how to handle setbacks, think on my feet, and keep going when things don’t go as planned. It also taught me how to be a good teammate and work with people from different backgrounds and personalities. Those lessons have stayed with me long after my playing days ended, and I still use them every day in my career and life.
What skills are most important in your role?
I’d say curiosity and adaptability are the two most important skills in my role. As a journalist, being curious is what helps you find the best stories and connect with people. I genuinely enjoy learning about others and understanding what makes their stories matter.
Adaptability is just as important because no two days are ever the same. One day I might be covering a fatal fire, and the next I’m at a community festival. Sports taught me how to think on my feet, adjust quickly, and stay focused no matter what situation I’m in.
What is a moment in your career that you are most proud of?
One of the highlights of my career was covering the inaugural home opener for the Toronto Tempo. As someone who grew up playing basketball, I never thought I’d see a WNBA team in my own backyard.
Being there for that first game felt surreal. I had the chance to meet so many fans and hear why having a WNBA team in Toronto meant so much to them. It really felt like I was witnessing, and in a small way, helping to tell the story of a historic moment for women’s basketball in Canada.
What has been one of your biggest challenges as a woman working in sports?
I think one of the biggest challenges is feeling like you always have to be on your game. As a woman in sports, you don’t really have the luxury of showing up unprepared. You have to know your stuff and consistently prove why you deserve a seat at the table.
It’s gotten better over the years, but it’s definitely pushed me to work hard, be prepared, and have confidence in what I bring to the room.
What does balance realistically look like for you in this season of life?
Balance in this season of my life looks like making time for the simple things and allowing myself to slow down. My job can be fast-paced and unpredictable, so I really value the quiet moments.
Every day, I take my dog, May, for a walk at a neighbourhood park. I’ll walk in silence, pray, reflect, and listen to the sounds around me. Those small moments help me slow down, appreciate the world around me, and reconnect with myself.
What impact do you hope to have on the next generation of girls in sport? One piece of advice you would give to young girls who want to be involved in sports (in any capacity).
The best advice I can give is to say yes to opportunities, even if they feel outside your comfort zone.
When I first got into sports broadcasting, I really only knew basketball and football. But opportunities came up to cover sports like hockey and baseball, and instead of saying no, I took the time to learn. Those experiences opened doors that I never could have predicted.
The same applies to sports. You may not get the position you want or the opportunity you were hoping for, but if you stay open-minded and keep showing up, you never know where it might lead. Some of the best things in my life and career came from opportunities I didn’t see coming.
What does representation mean to you?
Representation means creating opportunities for people who may not have traditionally had access to them. I was fortunate to be part of the Rising Media Stars program led by my mentor, LaChina Robinson, who was very intentional about opening doors for women of color.
Because of people like her, I had opportunities I might not have otherwise had. That’s why representation matters. It helps make sure talented people get a chance, regardless of their background.
Outside of sport, who are you? (Hobbies, passions, fun facts, etc.)
Outside of sports, I’m a huge dog person. I love spending time with my golden retriever, May. Over the years, I’ve fostered dogs and volunteered with shelters, which is something I really enjoyed.
My faith is also a huge part of who I am. I enjoy spending time praying, being in the Word, and finding ways to serve others. Those things help keep me grounded and give me perspective outside of work.
I’m also obsessed with hot sauce. There’s a good chance I have a bottle of hot sauce or chili oil in my bag wherever I go. And when I’m not working, I love learning new things, whether that’s reading a book, listening to an interesting interview, or exploring a new city.
Being a women in the game, beyond the game means...
Being a woman in the game, beyond the game, means knowing your identity isn’t limited to one thing. Sports are part of my story, but they don’t define all of it. With faith, hard work, and an open mind, the possibilities are endless.
Closing:
Womxn Ball exists to show that there is space for you in sports — in every role, at every level.
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