Interviewer: Isabelle Éthier

The popular podcast Women of Hockey, presented by IGA on TVA Sports, is entering a new era and becoming Isa, Women of Sports.

This name change marks a natural evolution of the project, while remaining true to the mission of its founder, Isabelle Éthier: to humanize sports by highlighting the women, their journeys, and the inspiring stories that shape the world of sports.

“For the past five years, Women of Hockey has been much more than a podcast: it’s my movement. My mission is to humanize sports and give visibility to all journeys, not just women’s hockey. With this new name, Isa, Women of Sports fully embodies our vision. Even though women’s hockey is close to my heart, my passion and commitment go far beyond that: I want to celebrate all sports,” says Isabelle Éthier, host and co-producer of the podcast.

Still airing on TVA Sports and available on TVA+, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, the show will continue to offer frank, heartfelt, and inspiring discussions with sports and cultural figures.

Under its new name, Isa, Femme de sports (Isa, Woman of Sports) will feature even more diverse interviews and testimonials that remind us that sports are, above all, a school of life.

“At TVA Sports, we are proud to support a voice like Isabelle’s, which highlights the human dimension of sports. Isa, Femme de sports fits perfectly with our mission to showcase all facets of the Quebec sports community,” emphasizes Louis-Philippe Neveu, Vice-President of Operations, News, and Sports.

The first guest of this new season will be none other than Danièle Sauvageau, an iconic figure in Canadian hockey, who will be inducted this year into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder — a first for a woman.

About Isa, Femme de sports

Hosted by Isabelle Éthier, Isa, Femme de sports is a podcast that lets you rediscover your favorite personalities through their stories and passions for sports. Presented by IGA and produced in collaboration with TVA Sports, the podcast continues the Femme d’Hockey project with a broader and more inclusive vision of sports and a clear mission: to humanize sports.

About Isabelle Éthier

Communicator, entrepreneur, and sports enthusiast, Isabelle Éthier has established herself as an influential voice in Quebec sports. Founder of Femme d’Hockey (Women of Hockey), she gives women a voice and highlights the human element behind performance. An analyst for the first professional women's hockey game broadcast on radio (98.5 FM) and a columnist for TVA Sports and 98.5 Sports, she champions equity and inclusion through her projects. An ambassador for the Charles-Bruneau Cup, Isabelle inspires with her authenticity, boldness, and commitment to women’s sports.

Links

Isa Femme de sports is available on YouTube HERE and on Facebook HERE. You can follow Isabelle on Instagram HERE.

Speaker: Chantal Machabée

Chantal Machabée, born September 4, 1964, in Laval, Quebec, is a Quebec sports journalist and television host. She is known for being the first woman to present a daily sports news bulletin on French-language television in 1989 on Réseau des sports (RDS). 

Career 
After studying literature at Cégep de Saint-Laurent and political science at the University of Montreal, Chantal Machabée began her career in 1985 as a sports journalist for La Presse canadienne and the NTR radio network. In 1986, she joined TVA in Quebec City, where she covered the Nordiques and hosted the show "Ça, c'est du sport!". At 24, she became the first woman on RDS to host the premiere episode of "Sports 30," becoming the first woman to present a daily sports news bulletin on French-language TV. 

In 2004, she became the first woman to host Montreal Canadiens' game broadcasts on RDS. She also covered the Canadiens' daily activities and was a host and panelist on "L'Antichambre." In January 2022, she was appointed Vice-President of Hockey Communications for the Montreal Canadiens, succeeding Paul Wilson. 

Distinctions 
Throughout her career, Chantal Machabée has received several awards, including the Gémeaux Award in 1998 for best sports news bulletin, shared with colleagues. In 2023, she received the Larry Fredericks Media Award, and in 2024, she was honored with the Medal of Honour from the National Assembly of Quebec for her pioneering role in sports media. 

Personal Life 
Chantal Machabée is a mother of two children, Simon and Hugo. She co-wrote her biography, Désavantage numérique, published in 2018, which chronicles her journey and challenges as a woman in sports journalism. 

A pioneer in her field, Chantal Machabée has paved the way for many women in sports journalism and continues to inspire with her professionalism and passion for sport.