The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association will continue its push toward team and roster sustainability for its 2027 season.
A year ago, the eight-team MWBA introduced a new rule allowing players in their graduating year of high school to compete.
Each team was allowed to carry three graduating seniors on their rosters.
Teams did not have to create roster spots for the three potential seniors, but the majority of teams did have at least one senior interscholastic player.
That rule was upheld during the MWBA’s annual general meeting this month.
Roster composition was a key component of the AGM.
Teams are now allowed to carry up to six reserve players on their roster. All teams can have 12 to 14 maximum players, but can add a taxi squad of eligible players.
‘Our league is constantly evolving and we are fully aware of the demands on many of our players,’ said MWBA commissioner, Jen McKenzie of Dartmouth, NS. ‘Whether it’s work, off-season schooling, family commitments or a litany of other challenges, it can be difficult for a player to play all 10 regular season games. We don’t want teams forced to play with eight players when there are call-ups available.’
The reserve players cannot be present-day USPORTS players or players who have played professionally during the 2026-27 season.
‘We didn’t want teams hoarding potential elite players as part of the reserve process,’ said McKenzie. ‘This is about ensuring quality product and allowing even more women the opportunity to play in our league.’
Some other News and Notes from the AGM:
- The league is expected to open Sunday, April 25, with all eight teams competing in a regional rivalry games. It would be the earliest the league has opened. It was designed to open a week early and finish with the PROLINE Legacy Cup June 12-13.
- The process of bidding on hosting the PROLINE Legacy Cup is now open. It will remain open through a designated February date. It is anticipated the event will be held in Nova Scotia after back-to-back championships in New Brunswick.
- Players who are redshirting in 2026-27 for a university or collegiate team will continue not to count toward a present-day player total. Each MWBA team can have up to seven present-day players in its lineup from the USPORTS level. A player in her fifth and final year of eligibility remains exempt from the seven-player USPORTS cap.
- MWBA executive will announce a head of discipline in mid-November.
- There are no rule changes anticipated for the league in 2027. Last year, the no touch backcourt was introduced to a rave of positive accolades to speed up the game.
- All team representatives have had a tentative schedule in their hands since late summer. Teams are now blocking or booking facility dates. A final schedule is anticipated in March.
– Miramichi and Moncton anticipate opening their MWBA seasons in late April, 2027. (Tanya Everett Photo)
