Professional basketball players from across the Maritimes are in Saint John this weekend.
The city is hosting the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association championship.
Kaylee Kilpatrick plays on the Port City Fog. She says this league is important for our region.
“It’s the first professional women’s league in Canada, which is a real treat for the Maritimes. We’ve had really good community support,” Kilpatrick said in an interview.
The league has six teams from communities including Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax and Windsor.
Kilpatrick said she thinks it is important to give women an opportunity to play after university.
“There are a lot of current university students who have graduated, people who have played professionally and have come home and it just gives us a place to play,” she said.
“I think it’s really important for young girls especially to see what’s out there and what’s possible for them and hopefully, they can aspire to pursue their dreams of playing high-level basketball as well.”
She says the teams are very evenly matched and it’s really high-quality women’s basketball.
During the weekend tournament, past teams will also be honoured, including a few from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia who won gold in the 1980s.
Kilpatrick started her basketball career in high school, playing at Harbour View High School in Saint John. After graduation, she went to the University of New Hampshire and played basketball there.
“Then I went overseas and played in Ireland, Australia, Germany. When the pandemic started, I came home,” she said.
“This new league started up and it’s been really fun. I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep playing.”
Games begin Friday night at TD Station with the championship game on Sunday. You can find more details on the league’s website.
Follow
