McDonald named Canada Games head coach for BNS women's basketball

Basketball Nova Scotia has announced that Haley McDonald has been named head coach of the women’s basketball team for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, set to take place in St. John’s, Nfld., from Aug. 8-25.

The women’s basketball tournament will run during the first week, from August 8 to 13.

McDonald, a current assistant coach with the Axewomen and former player, brings a wealth of experience as both a player and coach, and she is eager to lead the team in this prestigious national multi-sport event.

“I’ve always dreamed of being part of the Canada Games as an athlete, and it just wasn’t my time,” said McDonald. “I’m extremely excited to get the opportunity now from the coaching perspective. Over the years, I’ve been working to further my own coaching skills, and I’m happy to see my commitment paying off. My coaching philosophy is grounded in competition, accountability, and fun. I hope to provide the athletes with a strong, confident female role model that will push them to a higher standard. I believe our small province is capable of making big waves nationally, and I cannot wait to get started.”

McDonald will be supported by assistant coaches Laura Brine and Maia Timmons. Basketball Nova Scotia is equally thrilled to welcome back Anton Berry as the head coach of the U17 men’s team, along with his assistant coaches Damon Cole and Tariq Thomas.

McDonald’s basketball journey began at Horton High School, where she led her team to a Division 1 Provincial Championship in 2016. She represented Basketball Nova Scotia at the U15 and U17 national championships on five occasions. Her outstanding playing career continued at Acadia University, where she earned two AUS Championships, an AUS MVP title, multiple AUS All-Star selections, and All-Canadian honours. In her final season with the Axewomen, McDonald was awarded the James Bayer Memorial Scholarship for her contributions to athletics, academics, leadership, sportsmanship, and citizenship. She was also recognized as a Top 8 U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian and received the Governor General’s Academic Medal.

McDonald’s coaching career began as an assistant with the U17 girls’ provincial team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, she has achieved success as the head coach of the Horton High School D1 girls' team, leading them to a silver medal finish at the 2022 SSNS Provincials. She also served as an assistant coach for the BNS U15 girls’ team, helping them capture a national silver medal. Currently, McDonald is the full-time lead assistant coach with the Acadia Axewomen and serves as the Director of AXE Basketball, a minor club providing local and provincial opportunities for athletes aged U8 to U16.

The 2025 U17 women’s and men’s rosters will be selected early in the new year, with more details to come in the weeks ahead.