For established teams in the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association, there is experience when it comes to what may seem to be minor details, but are much more than that.
Logistical items such as venues, scheduling, reaching out to players to see if they are returning and a host of other responsibilities.
For seven teams in the league, some of it is old hat.
For the MWBA’s newest team, it is certainly much more than that.
Just ask Cindy MacNeil and Robbie McGee, the movers and shakers who brought the expansion Truro Tidal Queens from an idea to reality in a very short period of time as the league’s eighth entrant.
‘The ‘behind-the-scenes’ logistics are always the heaviest lift,’ said MacNeil. ‘From securing consistent gym time and coordinating travel to finding the right sponsors who align with our vision, it’s a 24/7 job.’
And roster construction?
Not easy.
‘Building a roster from scratch and establishing a culture in a brand-new market requires a lot of patience,’ she said. ‘You’re essentially building the plane while flying it, making sure every detail, from jerseys to culture, to community, is in place so the players can just focus on the game.’
The Tidal Queens have embraced community and held their first home game last weekend at the Dal Agricultural College in the Nova Scotia Hub.
Plenty of fans – many of them young – were in attendance for the lid-lifter.
‘Building a brand in a new location is always a challenge because you have to earn the community’s trust,’ MacNeil said. ‘You aren’t just asking people to watch a game, you’re asking them to invest their time and emotion into a new identity.’
It certainly showed.
‘What we loved about the home opener was the authenticity of the crowd energy,’ she said. ‘Seeing the seats filled at DalAC and hearing the crowd get loud was emotional showed us that Truro was ready for this. There’s something special about a ‘first.’ That history-making moment where the community finally sees the Tidal Queens in person rather than just on a screen. We’re so proud of this team and so grateful for the support we’ve gotten so far from Truro and Colchester County as a whole.’
The Tidal Queens enter Week III of the schedule seeking their first win after three outings.
MacNeil and McGee knew what awaited Truro when it comes to the on-court talent across the circuit.
‘Our players are high-IQ athletes and they knew coming in that the MWBA was not going to be a walk in the park,’ MacNeil said. ‘The league is fast, physical and deep with talent. I think after the first few runs, the reality of the competition set in, every single game is a battle. The Queens embraced that challenge, though. They understand that to be the best, you have to play against the best and that’s exactly what this league provides. There is amazing high-level talent on every team.’
The Truro tandem has certainly been taking notes.
Each team in the league has different approaches to operation and through four seasons and almost three weeks into the MWBA’s fifth anniversary campaign, approaches are clearly working.
The league’s on-court product is undeniably solid.
In terms of MWBA history, the league is still in its infancy in growth and continues to learn valuable off-court lessons.
The league keeps a notebook full of ideas.
Most teams – including Truro – are certainly taking notes, too.
‘Oh, our notebook is constantly overflowing because we aren’t just looking at this season,’ said the affable MacNeil. ‘We’re looking at how the Tidal Queens can anchor youth clinics, community events, and long-term partnerships in Truro. We’re constantly taking notes on what works, how the fans react, and how we can make the game-day experience even more electric next time. We’re building a foundation, not just a team.’
One constant MacNeil, McGee and the players are fired up about is head coach Lonnie States.
A basketball lifer – who can answer to the nickname Cool Breeze – has been a part of the MWBA for a number of years as an assistant coach.
He is familiar with almost all the players across the league and knew 2026 was going to be challenging taking the reins of an expansion entrant.
McNeil cannot hide her happiness with States at the helm.
‘Lonnie is a force of nature and his outgoing attitude is infectious, it’s impossible to be around him and not feel that spark,’ she said. ‘He brings a level of heart to the court that is rare. He doesn’t just coach X’s and O’s, he coaches the person. His love for the game, and especially women’s basketball, is evident in every timeout and every practice and that energy is exactly what a first-year team needs to stay motivated through the ups and downs. We’re so grateful to have Lonnie with us. Everyone loves and respects him for not only the coach he is but the person he is as well. We couldn’t do it without him.’
Truro was certainly a natural choice for the MWBA to develop a team and expand to four teams in Nova Scotia and four in New Brunswick to create balance.
MacNeil said it’s easy to get caught up in wins, losses and statistical data, but the goal is to create community as she alluded to when it comes to joining the MWBA in a destination for families and young players.
The response from Truro and its surrounding areas – which has a rich history of basketball – has been a pleasant experience for MacNeil and McGee.
‘We really want to emphasize that this is a community effort and we are so grateful to the local fans, our amazing volunteers, and the incredible families who have supported us,’ MacNeil said. ‘The Tidal Queens belong to Truro just as much as they belong to the league and we’re just getting started.’
MacNeil also noted the Tidal Queens are still seeking financial partners and volunteers.
You can reach out to the organization at tidalqueens@gmail.com
Truro, which also had a pre-season barbecue, is also partnering with Nike and Daneesha Provo for a girls’ only basketball camp and clinic June 13 to 14 at Dal Agricultural College.
Provo is a former Canada Basketball member and NCAA player with the University of Utah.
She appeared in 38 games over five seasons with our nation’s program.
You can use the Tidal Queens’ email to sign up for that remarkable offering.
On the court, Truro is back at home Saturday at DalAC, hosting Lake City at 5 p.m.
The Tidal Queens hit the road Sunday for a 2:30 p.m., date with the Halifax Hornets at Mount St. Vincent University.
