The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association is in full swing, with Season IV already producing some outstanding story lines and competition.
That doesn’t mean the MWBA can’t think about continuing to grow.
Expansion almost materialized for the second season in a row last winter when it appeared the league was ready to embrace Truro, NS, as its eight team, following in the footsteps of 2024 expansion team, Miramichi Her-Icanes.
The league opted to extend hopes for Truro into late winter before it became clear it wasn’t going to materialize.
‘We held out hope for Truro and in hindsight, waited a bit too long when it came to finalizing our seven-team schedule,’ said MWBA commissioner, Jen McKenzie of Dartmouth. ‘It was a lesson learned and that’s what continued growth is all about. Yes, we wanted an eighth team, but you can’t force these things. When we grow, we want to grow right.’
With that in mind, the MWBA is calling for expansion interest for the 2026 season as the league would celebrate its fifth anniversary.
There are four New Brunswick-based teams and three in Nova Scotia.
Original teams are Fredericton Freeze, Moncton Mystics and Port City Fog of Saint John along with Halifax Thunder, Halifax Hornets and Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour which played two seasons as the Windsor Edge before re-locating. The Her-icanes joined a year ago and have been a smashing success.
‘The MWBA was designed to allow women to continue playing, coaching, officiating and administering sport,’ said McKenzie. ‘We have watched so many of our players embrace our league and the fans have, too. Our games are family friendly and the entertainment value on the court just keeps improving.’
The deadline for expansion interest is Friday, Oct. 17.
‘With summer tournaments coming and our PRO•LINE Legacy Cup set for late June, there will be plenty of basketball discussion,’ said McKenzie. ‘We have had some feelers and we are transparent about information necessary for those looking for financials and how to run an operation in the MWBA. We feel mid-October gives plenty of time to explore any and all options.’
If you’re interested in exploring an expansion franchise, there are some key information bits including an expansion fee, venue availability and access to players 19 and over amongst other operational aspects.
You can email mwba.league@gmail.com
– Neil Smith’s Miramichi Her-Icanes are enjoying life as the MWBA’s seventh franchise. (Northumberland News)