The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association celebrated its fifth anniversary when the final horn sounded last June in Fredericton.
When the Halifax Thunder defeated Fredericton Freeze in a dramatic PRO·LINE Legacy Cup championship, it signaled a milestone ending to the only amateur league of its type in the country.
What’s next?
That was a common question.
The easy answer is, well, Year VI is next.
And that is true, but the league wants to remain innovative, avoid ruts and not become something that has a shelf life.
It’s truly easier said than done, but many within the MWBA have taken on the question of ensuring the league remains a competitive, viable and sustainable league.
‘We have had five truly different seasons, but we’ve reached the point where it’s not just patting each other on the back and saying ‘see you next year,’ said MWBA commissioner, Jen McKenzie of Dartmouth, NS. ‘We cannot afford to take that approach because the league has taken on so much more effort each and every year. The first two years, everything was new, bold and exciting. Year three was challenging and we rebound nicely the past two years with expansion, new ideas and initiatives. One thing that remains a constant is the talent in the league. It can continue to get better, but it has been fantastic the past two seasons.
McKenzie joined the MWBA in its infancy, coming into the league as director of officiating before taking over the commissioner’s post, where she will enter her fourth season in 2027.
The league has expanded from an Original Six teams to its present day eight.
Expansion was on the docket with a strong bid from Cape Breton and interest on Prince Edward Island. That was deferred until at least 2028.
‘We can’t continue to build our league if we’re not 100 per cent concrete and in a financial position to do that,’ said McKenzie. ‘Every step we take has to be measured. We won’t want to become too big, too soon. We’re still a young league and learning the ropes.’
The MWBA will have an aggressive off-season.
There will be a digital awareness campaign, concentrating on Atlantic Canada, but it will also target the rest of the country.
Profiles under Faces of the MWBA will begin soon along with an e-newsletter and more including a new campaign called We. Are. Here.
The league will announce a new partner soon, but is continuing to pound the pavement in search of committed financial partners.
McKenzie represented the MWBA at the recent Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame and The Archie golf tournament as part of the World’s Oldest Basketball Court celebrations in St. Stephen, NB.
Contacts were made with a number of companies and Canada Basketball for potential involvement.
‘We understand where we are in this financial world that is ever-changing and the days of businesses and companies backing up a truck for partnership are still there, but tougher to find,’ said McKenzie. ‘We have a dedicated crew working behind the scenes to create more MWBA awareness. Smaller partnerships still add up and that’s what we’re keying on.’
If you or your company is interested in partnering with the MWBA, please contact McKenzie or Anna Lee LeBlanc at mwba.league@gmail.com
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