From the field to the booth

Maki Jenner continues to make history. 

Jenner, a communications manager for Halifax’s National Lacrosse League (NLL) team the Thunderbirds, was the first female colour commentator during an NLL broadcast. As of February, she’s also the first woman to call play-by-play for the NLL.

“When I got the call (about play-by-play announcing), I was just so thankful that people trust me to do it,” she said.

Jenner is scheduled to call her first game in the new year.

“I feel lucky to do it here in Halifax with the team that I’ve been working for for so long,” Jenner said. 

“Maki’s passion for lacrosse and storytelling, combined with her ability to capture the energy and emotion of the game, made her a natural fit for this role,” John Catalano, Thunderbirds president and CEO, wrote in an emailed statement.

“Maki brings a rare combination of broadcast experience, lacrosse expertise, authenticity, and enthusiasm,” he said.

Family ties to lacrosse

Originally from Victoria, B.C., Jenner was raised in a family of lacrosse players. “My mom played (collegiate) down in the U.S., and then my dad played professionally” in the NLL, she said. Jenner played for Concordia University, Saint Paul in Minnesota. 

Starting at four years old, “I picked up a stick as soon as I could,” she said. “I always (took) an interest in the storytelling aspect of sport.” 

When she was growing up, she said there weren’t many women in the booth calling the games.

“When you are younger and thinking about what you want to do and you see someone that looks like you, talks like you, acts like you, whatever it is, you feel like you belong,” said Jenner.

“It means a ton to be able to be that representation for young women in lacrosse because I know that we’re not one of the big four professional sports leagues, but I would like to think we’re on the rise.” 

‘Believing you belong’ in the booth

“It’s motivating to see how much (Maki has) succeeded within the NLL so far,” said Annika Bell, announcer for the new womens’ soccer team Halifax Tides FC.

“I think it’s not only important to have female athletes for young girls or anyone to look up to, but also female broadcasters,” said Bell. 

Amid what Jenner calls “a boom in women’s sports” she feels an extra commitment to her job.

“Cassie Campbell, who was one of the OG (original) females to call games, always said ‘Believe you belong,’ ” Jenner said.  

“That’s something I hope to pass to people too,” said Jenner. “Reminding yourself that you do belong and just believing that internally.”

Jenner will be calling her first game on Feb. 14, when the Halifax Thunderbirds play the Buffalo Bandits at the Scotiabank Centre.