A New Voice in Lacrosse, Strengthened in Halifax

Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Thomas Scott

When Maki Jenner stepped into the booth for colour commentary for a Halifax Thunderbirds game last season, the production crew told her the only thing left to check off was play-by-play. Maki Jenner laughed it off at the time, not thinking much of it.

Last month, the comment she didn’t think much of came to life.

Jenner became the first female play-by-play announcer in National Lacrosse League history on February 14, calling the Thunderbirds’ game against the Buffalo Bandits on TSN.

“I definitely felt some nerves. Just like, ‘oh my God, this is going to be the first time, the first one.’ But overall, I just felt really appreciative of being given that opportunity,” says Jenner.

“We’re so used to hearing male voices in lacrosse compared to other sports, where we’re getting used to hearing some females, which has been awesome. But I think for lacrosse it’s just so different. You don’t really hear it that often.”

From a young age, Jenner had a passion for storytelling, but it wasn’t until a broadcast no-show for a Victoria Shamrocks game of the Western Lacrosse Association in August 2022 that she got to take a stab at commentating. She got thrown into it about 10 minutes into the first quarter of the game, and despite the short notice, a situation that would leave many feeling rushed and nervous, she felt an adrenaline rush.

“I was scared out of my head about it,” says Jenner, who was interning with the Shamrocks at the time. “But that’s where I was like, wait, I really love doing this.”

Through her work writing blogs, in-arena hosting, and performing weekly segments on TSN, Jenner put the lacrosse world on notice. Shortly after, the Thunderbirds reached out to her to become their communications manager. She accepted the job and moved to Halifax at the age of 21 in October 2022.

After her arrival, her career has continued to unfold.

“I took a chance coming here, and to have my career unfold the way it has since arriving, it means a lot,” says Jenner.

The post A New Voice in Lacrosse, Strengthened in Halifax appeared first on Discover Halifax.