Maritime Women's Basketball Association hopes to break attendance, score record on Saturday
There are a number of records that could be broken at a basketball game at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth this Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
The Maritime Women's Basketball Association, MWBA, hopes to break its attendance record of 1,268 attendees at the game between the Port City Fog and Lake City 56ers. Now in its fourth year of operation, the amateur league consists of seven teams from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
'The main goal is to bring more awareness,' says Colter Simmonds, general manager of the Lake City 56ers. 'It's a fun atmosphere with talented players. History can be made as a community this weekend while supporting women in sport.'
Lake City 56ers point guard Courtney Donaldson could also become the all-time MWBA leading scorer if she makes 20 points during this weekends game.
Courtney Donaldson
Courtney Donaldson playing for the Saint Mary's University Huskies. (Source: Saint Mary's University)
'I'm honestly not too focused on breaking a scoring record – my team comes first,' says Donaldson. 'I've got to let the game come to me. I'm just excited. My priority is breaking the attendance record. I'm trying to post online about it to get everybody out.'
Donaldson grew up in Kelowna, B.C. She played for Saint Mary's University in Halifax for three years where they won the Atlantic University Sport Women's Basketball Championship three years in a row beginning in the 2022-2023 season.
'A lot of these women played in the AUS,' said the 26-year-old. 'It's interesting having played against them and then playing with them. You get to see all the other competitors in a new light now. It's a lot of fun.'
Mackenzie Smith has experience in NCAA Division 1 playing with the Saint Joseph's University Hawks in Philadelphia. Originally from Shelburne, N.S., the 22-year-old guard said it's great to play the sport she loves in her home province with her family in the audience.
Mackenzie Smith
Mackenzie Smith representing Canada. (Source: MWBA)
'It's very rewarding,' said Smith, who also played for Canada in FIBA 3x3 Women's Series in 2024. 'Obviously, playing over in the U.S. is really cool, I loved my experience, but I did miss home.'
MWBA players have experience in AUS, Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association, Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, and U Sports. While an amateur league, the MWBA's website says it has 'every intention on running it professionally' with televised or live streamed games, sponsorships and social justice initiatives.
'They're very competitive teams,' says Simmonds, who would like to see the league grow. 'The MWBA is the only league of its kind in Canada where they have teams in different cities. People need to just really get out and support the league because we're building and growing something special.'
MWBA Game 2
Game 2 of MWBA. (Source: MWBA)
The fan support so far has been huge for Smith, she said.
'It's really cool for little girls to come out and watch these grown women playing and have something to look forward to as they grow,' Smith added.
Her teammate agrees.
'I think as a whole we got to do better in supporting young girls and women in basketball, treating them as athletes,' said Donaldson. 'What I want for young girls is to be able to believe it's ok to compete. You don't always have to be nice. You don't always have to be friendly in the game of ball. You can get after it and be competitive.'
The six-week MWBA season runs from the beginning of May until mid-June, ending with a championship weekend in Fredericton.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
14 hours ago
- CTV News
‘I feel like I have a responsibility': N.S. soccer star gives back to help grow the game
Most children who dream of a career in sports don't get the opportunity to meet their heroes. However, about 100 young athletes got the chance on Wednesday in Nova Scotia. 'I still remember, just behind those doors, meeting Shaff (Jacob Shaffelburg) for the first time,' said Ben Marsh, Canada Games and U21 Wanderer player. 'I was like, this is a very, very cool moment. So, I think for them getting to do that now, where he's even achieved way more is very cool.' Marsh coaches part time. He has done so for three years, giving back to the soccer community and helping, in his way, to grow the game. 'The first year wasn't as consistent. But the past two, I've been very consistent. I've loved being around the game and getting to connect with the kids on that level,' he explained. 'It's something I really enjoy.' For young soccer players, interacting with top athletes in their sport is extremely beneficial. 'It's unbelievable. The kids here today they'll get to meet a local legend, their hero,' said Lindsay MacAskill, executive director of Soccer Nova Scotia. 'And hopefully one day we'll see one of these kids on the national stage.' Jacob Shaffelburg Jacob Shaffelburg visits Soccer Nova Scotia athletes on June 5, 2025. (Source: Instagram/CANMNT) Jacob Shaffelburg was in town with the Canada Men's National Team and swung by BMO Soccer Centre to sign autographs and talk to kids playing the sport he loves. 'It means a lot, I've been doing this since 2019,' he told media Wednesday. 'I think just trying to get back here and help, whether it's my boyhood club, Valley United, or here at Soccer Nova Scotia. But whatever I can do to help out and give those guys belief and confidence that it's doable, I'll do whatever I can.' Shaffelburg stressed how important it is for kids to see representations of themselves in professional clubs, something Marsh echoed. 'Growing up here for a long time there hasn't really been that step,' said Marsh. 'And now with the Wanderers and the Tides, like the game's growing. I think it's huge for all the young kids who are playing.' Shaffelburg adds he wished he had those two teams to look up to when he was young. 'For the kids, you know, these guys right now have their teams to look up to,' he said. Jacob Shaffelburg Jacob Shaffelburg visits Soccer Nova Scotia athletes on June 5, 2025. (Source: Instagram/CANMNT) 'I think, obviously having the men (Team Canada) here, had the women (Team Canada) here a few years ago, now with the Tides and the Wanderers… I think it shows that Halifax is now a sport city, and hopefully we'll see some big things coming in the future. We have of course, a lot to look forward to coming up in 2026,' added MacAskill. And the proof of growth is in the numbers. 'So, we have 25,000 registered players. Right now, we have like 18,000 under the age of 15,' said MacAskill. 'Were the biggest participatory sport out of all sports in Nova Scotia and we're on a rise. We've seen 22 per cent growth since 2019.' Which is also around the time Shaffelburg started coming back and donating time. But it's more than that for Soccer NS. 'We've seen a lot of newcomers join the sport. Which has been unbelievable,' added MacAskill. 'You know, soccer is the world's game. It's something consistent. It's something that is in their culture and we're happy to welcome them and, have them involved.' It also helps that coaches like Mike Locke continue to take an interest. Locke, who's coached for 30 years, heads up the Canada Games team. He says having one of his former players (Shaffelburg) stop by is encouraging. 'I think it gives kids, you know, someone to look up to and realize that the dream is possible,' said Locke. 'And if you work hard enough, that you can achieve it. And, you know, he's living proof of that.' For Shaffelburg, giving back to the community that raised him is an obvious pathway. 'I feel like I have a responsibility to give back as much as possible when I come home.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
19 hours ago
- CTV News
Maritime Messi's family supports soccer dreams as Team Canada lands on the East Coast
Playing on Nova Scotian soil was nothing new for Jacob Shaffelburg, but representing his country while doing so was a first. 'It was cool. I mean, I've kind of had a bit of it when I played here a long time ago,' explained Shaffelburg of the fans cheering his name when he stepped on the grass at the Wanderers Grounds Tuesday. 'So it kind of brought back some memories, but, coming back with the national team, this is a much different feeling and a lot of pride.' As part of an initiative started by head coach Jesse Marsch, the men's national team is heading to communities across Canada to spark some interaction prior to the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted in the country for the first time. Approximately 2,500 fans took in open practice Tuesday evening, as the men's team came to Halifax for the first time in their history. 'We've talked a lot about like creating a movement, you know, and I've also been calling this the people's team,' said Marsch. 'And I think if we want it to really feel like that, that we have to come to all the communities that we have to make the players really approachable. And I think, especially these kids, they have to be familiar with their heroes and they want to see them up close.' 'So all of these efforts, I think, have led to us, to having a really good experience overall with being in different communities and here in Halifax,' he added. For Shaffelburg, playing at home in front of family and friends meant the world and, for his family, it was nothing short of remarkable. 'Unbelievable,' said Marvin Messom, Shaffelburg's maternal grandfather. 'Just from Port Williams. Just unbelievable.' Messom had tears in his eyes as the young soccer star approached him, beaming with pride and awe at the number of jerseys and cheers for his grandson. 'The only thing he got from me was the hair,' Messom joked, to which Shaffelburg added, 'And the emotional side.' The Maritime Messi got about 80 tickets for friends and family to come to the event and the section was full, including his wife Robyne and nine-month-old daughter Daisy. 'It's amazing to see the support for sure,' smiled Robyne as Daisy beamed in her arms. 'It's kind of funny when he told me when we first met that he played soccer, I was like, 'OK, I played volleyball in high school, why are you telling me this?'' she laughed, adding, 'I didn't understand the kind of magnitude of what he meant by that now, like seeing everyone and their support for him.' For Shaffelburg, having both his and his wife's family in attendance was something special as they are both from the province. While the sounds didn't bother young Daisy, as she's used to the noise back in Nashville where her dad plays from MLS Nashville FC, Robyne said they need to get used to the atmosphere. 'There's fireworks and there's loud music all the time, so I think she's kind of like, used to it at this point,' Robyne said. 'So I try to take her. I'm like, 'You know what? We've got a long career soccer ahead of us, so we're going to the games. Even if, you know, they're past bedtime'.' That career in soccer is only growing as the World Cup approaches and, for the Shaffelburgs, so is their family. 'Are you excited for World Cup?' Robyne asked Daisy. 'I'll have another one as well by then. I'm five months pregnant with a little boy. I know I'm going to have my hands full at those games… maybe she'll go hang out with Nani.' As for the experience in Nova Scotia, the energy was palpable at the Wanderers Grounds as fans of all ages showed up to meet their heroes. Jacob Shaffelburg 2 Jacob Shaffelburg signing autographs at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Brianne Foley/CTV Atlantic) 'I probably signed about 400 Shaffelburg jerseys and, you know, we obviously knew how popular Jacob is in this region. They should be very proud of them,' said Marsch. 'We're really pleased with his overall performances and development, and we're excited to keep pushing him and keep preparing them for the World Cup next summer.' For Shaffelburg, the moment was amazing, but his journey continues as he strives to represent the province to the best of his ability in red and white. 'Just working hard I guess,' he said of his success so far. 'Making the most of my opportunities and just being humble and remembering where I'm from and trying to make Port Williams and Nova Scotia proud.' For grandpa, he's already done that. 'Extremely proud. Don't push me,' Messom said with tears in his eyes. Team Canada heads back to Toronto to host the inaugural Canadian Sheild Tournament on Saturday at BMO Field. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
NBA working on plan for US-vs.-world format at All-Star Game next season, AP source says
NBA commissioner Adam Silver is seen on the court prior to Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) OKLAHOMA CITY — The NBA is working on a plan to turn next season's All-Star Game into a U.S.-vs.-world competition, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday. It remains unclear how the format will work, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not made any final determinations. Speaking to Fox Sports 1 earlier Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver — who has talked about such a game on multiple occasions — was asked if U.S. vs. the world is possible. 'Yes,' Silver said. Silver addressed the idea on March 27 as well at the league's most recent board of governors meeting, when he revealed that the NBA was scrapping the All-Star mini-tournament format that was used this season. At that time, the AP reported that the 2026 game — to be played Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California, just past the midpoint of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics — will be moved from its traditional prime-time Sunday night slot to one that starts on Sunday afternoon. That's happening because the game will be aired on NBC under the terms of the new 11-year media rights deals that kick in next season. NBC is also the Olympic broadcaster in the U.S. So, NBC could show Olympic events in the morning and early afternoon, then the All-Star Game, then have prime-time Olympic programming. The move comes on the heels of a popular tournament, the 4 Nations Face-off, that essentially took the place of the NHL All-Star Game this year, as well as strong competition at the Paris Olympics, where the Americans won a fifth consecutive gold medal by rallying past Nikola Jokic and Serbia in the semifinals, then topping host France and Victor Wembanyama in the title game — behind a barrage of late 3-pointers from Stephen Curry. 'What better time to feature some form of USA against the world?' Silver said on FS1. 'I'm not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I obviously paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did, which was a huge success. ... But also, going back, last summer, our Olympic competition was a huge success.' There is one big challenge regarding any U.S.-vs.-world format. About 70% of NBA players are American, while 30% are international, so it would in theory be easier for an international player to make the All-Star team — if the rosters are the same size. International players, when asked at this year's All-Star Game if they would want a U.S.-vs.-world matchup, sounded enthusiastic. 'I would love to. My opinion is that it's more purposeful,' Wembanyama said back in February. 'There's more pride in it. More stakes.' Added Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, who's from Greece: 'I would love that. Oh, I would love that. I think that would be the most interesting and most exciting format. I would love that. For sure, I'd take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete.' The latest format for the All-Star Game — a four-team, three-game mini-tournament in San Francisco with the first team to 40 points winning each — was a miss. It came after years of the league asking players for a more competitive game. The 211-186 final score at Indianapolis in 2024 was the last straw, and the league — for one year, anyway — thought the tournament was the answer. ___ Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press
