Sibling bonds fuel Team Nova Scotia at 2025 Canada Games
At least two of the province's teams participating in the multi-sport national competition this month in St. John's have siblings on their rosters.
The Buchanan twins and the Mont brothers are among the athletes representing Nova Scotia, with Jada and Kylie Buchanan teaming up on the soccer field and Leo, Emmett and Henry Mont joining forces in the lacrosse arena.
Bridgewater's Buchanan sisters have shared a lot in their 17 years, including a passion for soccer.
However, they haven't always played together. One year, Jada suited up for Halifax County United Soccer Club, while Kylie stayed with her local team, South Shore United FC.
Being pitted against each other fed their competitiveness and their love of the sport, they say.
Now, they're back on the same team — Kylie as a midfielder, Jada as a defender — and planning to use their familiarity to their advantage.
"I feel like we're able to read each other's minds, kind of," said Jada.
"I kind of know where she's going to play the ball without even having to talk to her. And I know where she plays the ball, where she moves, because we played with each other for so long."
The twins said they're excited to represent Nova Scotia and are looking forward to Aug. 19, when they play their first game against Team Yukon.
Meanwhile, the Mont household in Bedford has three competitive lacrosse players: older brother Leo, 17, and twins Emmett and Henry, 15.
While they can routinely find time to practise in their yard, they haven't always been able to play together competitively given the age difference between Leo and his younger brothers.
But when they realized they had a rare chance to qualify together for the Nova Scotia team, they vowed to try as hard as they could to make it happen.
The path to earning a berth on the team was very competitive and Emmett faced an additional challenge coming off a serious knee injury.
But it was all worth it in the end.
"Originally, we got one email congratulating someone on the team," said Leo.
"And then we got a second email later, kind of confirming that it was all three of us and not just one or two. So it was a real special moment and kind of settled the nerves of the whole process."
The lacrosse team will open Aug. 19 against British Columbia.
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