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Former Huskies guard Justine Colley-Leger (BComm '14) and Laura Langille (BA '16) are now suiting up for the Halifax Thunder of the Maritime Women's Basketball Association. (Photo credit: Chris Taylor, Maritime Athletic Profiles)
Former Huskies guard Justine Colley-Leger (BComm '14) and Laura Langille (BA '16) are now suiting up for the Halifax Thunder of the Maritime Women's Basketball Association. (Photo credit: Chris Taylor, Maritime Athletic Profiles)
Posted: May 27, 2022

Huskies alumni back on home court with Maritime Women’s Basketball Association

It was a sight that Huskies Women's Basketball supporters have seen thousands of times – Justine Colley-Leger (BComm '14) driving to the basket to score two points in the Homburg Centre gymnasium on Saint Mary's campus.

Between 2009 and 2014, Colley-Leger had a record-breaking career with the Huskies, finishing her five years as the all-time leading scorer in Canadian Women's University basketball.

On this occasion, Colley-Leger was wearing her familiar #5, but not in the Huskies maroon and white jersey. She is now sporting the baby blue uniform of the Halifax Thunder of the Maritime Women's Basketball Association, who are playing their home games at her former stomping grounds.

"I was really excited to hear that Saint Mary's got on board to support the Halifax Thunder. This is a really special place for me, and I was just as excited to play on this floor today as I was years ago," said Colley-Leger, who scored 11 points as the Thunder defeated the visiting Windsor Edge by a score of 66-62 on May 19.

Former Huskies guard Justine Colley-Leger (BComm '14), is now suiting up for the Halifax Thunder of the Maritime Women's Basketball Association.
(Photo credit: Chris Taylor, Maritime Athletic Profiles)

The MWBA launched this May, with six teams from across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia competing. While it is currently an amateur league, MWBA Commissioner Tasia McKenna – a former Huskies assistant coach, has big dreams for the upstart league.

"The ultimate goal is to get to a place where we can pay our athletes. These female athletes deserve a professional league, and whether that's through the MWBA, or a league that's more broadly expanded across Canada, we're here to support that the best that we can," says McKenna.

"It's a huge opportunity to be a part of this," said Colley-Leger, who now works as the African Nova Scotian Sexual Violence Community Engagement Coordinator at East Preston Day Care and Family Resource Centre. "The competition has been really great and I'm looking forward to seeing this grow over the next few years."

Another familiar face to Huskies fans is playing alongside Colley-Leger with the Thunder; former Huskies teammate Laura Langille (BA 2016).

"The Maritimes provinces have always been really into basketball, and it's so nice to finally have a league for women beyond university. It's high level, it's competitive and it's just great overall basketball," says Langille, who hit a pair of last second free-throws to seal the Thunder victory.


Halifax Thunder forward Laura Langille (BA 2016), returned to her former home court at Saint Mary's University on May 19. (Photo credit: Chris Taylor, Maritime Athletic Profiles)

"As a women university athlete, most graduate at 22 and don't have many options," adds McKenna. "Maybe you can go overseas, or play in pick-up, intramural leagues. I was one of those athletes, and in terms of competitive basketball, that was the element that was missing, so it's great to see all the work that went into this league paying off."

Langille says it's especially impactful to return to the home gymnasium where she helped the Huskies to four consecutive AUS Championships from 2013-16, and teamed with Colley-Leger to win silver (2014), and bronze (2013) medals at the CIS National Championships.

"I love SMU, I loved playing for the Huskies, and this is my absolute favourite gym anywhere, so I'm so stoked to be here, to play and have a bit of a homecourt advantage," says Langille. "Justine is still a really great friend of mine, we've known each other for years and played together here, so it's great to be back on the court together.


Nearly 500 fans packed the Homburg Centre bleachers on May 19 to watch the Halifax Thunder defeat the visiting Windsor Edge, 66-62. (Photo credit: Chris Taylor, Maritime Athletic Profiles)

With a crowd of nearly 500 excited spectators, the MWBA is already making waves in the local sports scene. For Colley-Leger, there were four young fans in attendance that made the return to her alma-mater extra special.

"I'd say playing in front of my kids makes me a little more nervous. But it is really exciting to see so many young girls and just kids in the stands. I know Nova Scotia loves basketball and to be able to see the game at a high level is really important for our up-and-coming young athletes."

As one of the most accomplished players in the history of Canadian University basketball, Colley-Leger says she hopes the league helps teach young female athletes an important lesson.

"I think a lot of our young athletes feel you need to go away or to prep schools to play basketball, but I think this league is an opportunity for young players to see that you can play basketball at a very high level, and be successful, while staying right here in the Maritimes."

An inspiring message from a Huskies legend, who continues to make an impact on and off the court.

The Thunder return to Saint Mary's to take on the Halifax Hornets on Wednesday, June 8th at 7 p.m.

A total of 11 current and former Huskies Women's Basketball Players are suiting up in the MWBA:

Check out themwba.ca for full schedule and more information.