Maritimes a perfect place to start a Canadian pro women's basketball league

This is a column by Shireen Ahmed, who writes opinion for CBC Sports. For more information about CBC’s Opinion section, please see the FAQ.

Many years ago, I stood after practice with the University of Toronto women’s soccer team and heard a discussion the coaches were having. The USports (then called CIAU) women’s soccer playoffs were happening and Dalhousie University advanced by beating schools in Ontario and Quebec.

“No fish towns should be beating Ontario schools,” our head coach said haughtily.

That comment stayed with me for a long time. I come from the East Coast and I had acquaintances and former teammates on that squad. I