The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association is expanding.
Eight teams will make up its 2026 season with the announcement – following unanimous voting approval – Colchester County will become the league’s fourth Nova Scotia-based team, joining four entrants from New Brunswick.
Colchester County is home to just over 51,000 residents and has two independent incorporated towns in Truro and Stewiake.
Robbie McGee and Cindy MacNeil of Halifax, who operate the successful 902 Hoops Incorporation Ltd., – owners of Atlantic Canada’s largest adult basketball league based in the Bluenose Province – are behind the new organization.
‘We are over the moon with the news we are continuing to grow and that region is absolutely going to embrace the MWBA,’ said league commissioner, Jen Lloyd of Dartmouth, NS. ‘The Colchester County region has been on our radar for a couple of years. When Robbie and Cindy reached out and indicated interest, the plan went into overdrive.’
McGee indicated the squad will take a unique approach to joining the MWBA.
‘We will operate under a unique partnership and governance structure designed to promote stability and community benefit,’ he said. ‘We are structured with six shareholders. Day-to-day operations and management of the team will be dedicated to furthering community engagement and the MWBA’s core mission.’
McGee indicated the organization wanted to be part of a county-wide celebration of the MWBA and did not strike a team name.
Its eventual nickname will come from the county.
‘To build immediate community excitement for our new MWBA franchise, we will launch a proactive team name selection process rooted in local engagement,’ he said. ‘We want to invite the Colchester County community to submit their most creative and locally relevant name suggestions, fostering a direct connection from day one. We will get down to three or five names and the community will have the final say through a public vote.’
The team plans on ensuring it is active in the county with clinics and other methods to help at the grassroots level.
McGee is not concerned about attracting players to fill the Colchester County roster.
Former USPORTS standout Kendra MacKinnon, who starred with the Saint Mary’s University Huskies and played one MWBA season with the Halifax Hornets, has been involved with the expansion franchise.
‘I absolutely love the MWBA and what it all brings on and off the court,’ said MacKinnon, now a police officer in the county. ‘It’s been a lot of fun talking to former teammates and friends who love the idea of a team in our region. It’s been a great experience to be involved with quality individuals like the ownership team and the MWBA.’
Colchester County will join Nova Scotia rivals Halifax Thunder, Halifax Hornets and reigning regular season champion Lake City 56rs of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour/Preston along with New Brunswick entrants including reigning Legacy Cup champion Miramichi Her-Icanes, Fredericton Freeze, Moncton Mystics and Port City Fog of Saint John.
Teams will play a 10-game regular season that leads to provincial playoffs.
The playoff scenario will see top teams in each province play the fourth-place regular season finisher and second will play third to decide who advances to the league’s four-team championship.
League play is expected to begin the first weekend of May.
All teams have received a tentative schedule to begin hammering out dates for respective venues.
‘There is always a lot of work in the off-season and we are always facing different challenges, but expansion is being done slowly and for the right reasons,’ said Lloyd. ‘We look forward to showcasing the MWBA in Colchester County. It’s another big step for our league.’
