Neil Smith was a fan of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association and what it stood for when everything launched in 2022.
‘When the MWBA first started, it was one of those ‘finally, something like is happening in our region,’’ said Smith. ‘It started slowly and smart and just kept building. Watching everything unfold, from the game presentation to social media and especially the talent level has been absolutely amazing.’
Smith watched the league for three years, but suddenly came an offer he couldn’t refuse.
The long-time interscholastic and youth basketball coach was contacted by an old friend in the winter of 2025.
Essentially, it was a ‘how would you like to coach our team?’ call from Jimmy Watters of the Miramichi Her-Icanes.
The ‘Canes were preparing for their second year of operation in the MWBA and with the time commitment involved, first-year coach Brittany Sullivan was unable to return to the sidelines in last season, focussing on off-court duties instead.
Enter Smith.
He was brought in to guide a talented roster and did much more than that.
Miramichi would go on to win the PRO•LINE Legacy Cup championship in 2025, using overtime to defeat the Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston in front of a raucous crowd at the Richard J. Currie Center in Fredericton.
The championship showdown featured the top two regular season teams and the game did not disappoint.
‘That was a magical ride last year and the women who were part of a truly wonderful organization with Miramichi made it such an enjoyable experience,’ said Smith. ‘The adventure was new to me and it was refreshing. That team was loaded with experience and talent, but the genuine love of basketball was evident.’
As Miramichi prepares defences of its title, it will not turn to Smith for Year II.
He has accepted a role as head coach for Basketball New Brunswick’s under-17 boys’ team for 2026. That team will compete at Canada Basketball age-class championships later this summer.
It’s almost a full circle moment for Smith.
He was involved as a BNB board member for years, coaching various age-class teams after a long career guiding high school players in Dalhousie, NB.
Smith would eventually be named BNB’s Technical Director, a position he held for 11 years before retirement beckoned.
Hard to stay away from the game he loves, though.
He coached at the under-14 level last winer and now brings renewed passion for the game by accepting the under-17 role.
‘I absolutely love being in the gym and teaching the game, but it’s not all about X’s and O’s, it’s about developing relationships and perhaps even opening eyes from today’s youth who may go on to coach when the get older,’ said Smith. ‘The game is evolving all the time. I have always said our coaches in New Brunswick are as good as any in the country and I mean that. We may not have the population to complete against perennial strong provinces, but we have closed the gap talent-wise and will just keep getting better.’
As for his time in the MWBA, Smith certainly is leaving on good terms with his long-time friend Watters and the players he helped guide last year.
‘I knew some of the players on the Her-icanes through coaching at various levels, but to get know others and help them achieve success was an amazing run,’ he said. ‘It’s not like I walked into that organization and said ‘this is the way it’s going to be under my watch.’ Not a chance. The talent level was off the charts. I pretty much stayed out of their way and let them do what they do best. Of course, there was some coaching, scouting and a lot of video. We didn’t just show up in Fredericton and walk away with it. There was a huge commitment from the entire organization.’
Smith, who lives in Grand Digue, NB, knew all about the passion for basketball and sports in Miramichi.
‘There are challenges with operating an organization in terms of finding the right mix of local players and talent and augmenting that will a pipeline from somewhere else,’ said Smith. ‘The volunteer group that Jimmy, Brittany and Whitney Foran have put together is amazing. True passion and love for that team can be seen on game day. You walk in there and just felt the anticipation of game day and the players all fed off that. They have made it a very difficult place to play for visiting teams and that’s fantastic. You know I’ll be watching this season and can’t wait to see it get started again.’
The Her-Icanes are expected to announce a new head coach before April training camp.
– Neil Smith helped guide Miramichi to an MWBA PRO•LINE Legacy Cup title last season.
