Jen McKenzie is back as commissioner of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association.
She earned her second term after being voted back into her position at the league’s annual general meeting.
McKenzie took over the MWBA reins from inaugural commissioner, Tasia McKenna, overseeing steady growth in the league, leading into its fifth anniversary season in 2026.
The Dartmouth, NS, resident has been with the league since its inception, overseeing officials the first two years before taking over as commissioner.
‘This has been such a wonderful and amazing experience, being part of a leadership team that is promoting women in sport and creating such positive vibes in our communities,’ said McKenzie. ‘It’s been a remarkable learning curve for me and I’ve leaned on a lot of people to keep learning and developing different skillsets. I’m looking forward to another term.’
Under McKenzie’s leadership, the MWBA has expanded from its original six teams to eight.
Reigning league champion Miramichi Her-Icanes entered the league during McKenzie’s first season at the helm in 2024 and now the league boasts eight teams after admitting Colchester County (NS) into the fold this week.
‘The strength of our franchises is always the number one priority and we have moved slowly from six to seven and now eight teams,’ she said. ‘We cannot and won’t expand for the sake of increasing numbers. It has to be done slow and right. Miramichi is the ultimate example of how to run an expansion team and it remains a staple of our league only two years in.’
The MWBA does face challenges.
League partnerships could definitely be enhanced to ensure sustainability.
The costs of livestreaming is also a concern to the league’s executive and its teams.
‘We have had some outstanding partnerships with Royale, Medavie, Atlantic Lottery Commission and Cushman Wakefield Atlantic,’ said McKenzie. ‘Those companies understand the importance of what we’re doing for women, for sports and for communities. It is not easy in this day and age for partners to jump on board, but we hope to see more come our way in time for 2026 and beyond.’
The league has also circulated a schedule to its teams to ensure facilities are booked.
‘We are ahead of last year in terms of having a schedule in everyone’s hands to confirm or change,’ she said. ‘It’s best to try and get things in a row well ahead of time instead of scrambling.’
McKenzie’s has familiar executive faces returning and one new face, who is not a stranger to the MWBA.
Vice commissioner Lori Wall of Saint John and treasurer Shelley Janes of Fredericton return to their posts. Former MWBA vice commissioner, Anna Lee LeBlanc of Riverview, is secretary.
