Maki Jenner found it challenging to drift off to sleep post-Saturday’s Halifax Thunderbirds versus Buffalo Bandits game. The reason? It was her debut as a play-by-play announcer for the Thunderbirds, and the overwhelming support flooded her phone from industry peers, lacrosse enthusiasts, family, friends, and hometown acquaintances.
Jenner marked a significant milestone by becoming the first woman to provide play-by-play commentary for a National Lacrosse League (NLL) game. This accomplishment adds to her earlier feat in 2024 when she made history as the first woman to deliver color commentary for the NLL.
During the game, Jenner, aged 24 and deeply entrenched in lacrosse from a young age, recognized the historical significance of the moment. Her nerves leading up to the event were palpable despite her background as a player and broadcaster. Jenner acknowledged the role of Pat Gregoire, the color commentator and veteran lacrosse analyst, in helping her maintain composure.
In a press release, Gregoire showered Jenner with praise, hailing her as a luminary in lacrosse media, breaking barriers and inspiring young girls and women worldwide. He emphasized the importance of representation in broadcasting booths for aspiring female voices.
Jenner’s passion for lacrosse stems from her familial ties to the sport, with both parents actively involved, including her father and uncle’s participation in the NLL during her formative years. She views her journey to the professional lacrosse scene as a natural progression, having wielded a lacrosse stick since childhood.
A Victoria native, Jenner’s immersion in the sport continued through her collegiate years at Concordia University, St. Paul, where she played for the varsity team and pursued a sports communication major with a journalism minor. Her trajectory in lacrosse media began in 2022 when she broke new ground as the first female play-by-play announcer for the Western Lacrosse Association in British Columbia.
Joining the Halifax Thunderbirds in 2022 as the director of communications, Jenner swiftly transitioned into the role of sideline reporter before assuming the position of TSN’s Halifax lacrosse reporter. Her multifaceted experience as a player and broadcaster has been instrumental in shaping her identity.
Reflecting on her journey, Jenner attributes her personal growth to lacrosse, emphasizing how the sport has molded her into the person she is today.