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Player Sliding Towards Base On Field

Yarmouth 15u AAA Gateways win provincial baseball title

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The Yarmouth Gateways are provincial champions.

The team entered championship weekend as favourites, having gone 15-1 during the regular season. 

Head coach Stefan Newell said he was proud of the hard work of his team, staff, volunteers and parents for making this season possible.

“We worked hard all season,a lot of dedication… they had the mindset to always get better,” said Newell. “This weekend was really special. We had the opportunity to host provincials right here in Yarmouth in front of a lot of local fans.”

The team kept their strong season going into the playoffs, defeating the Sydney Sooner 6-0 in semi final play and then winning the championship over the Tri County Rangers 13-1.

“There’s lots of moments that will really stick around in my memories for a long time,” said Newell.

Next up for the Gateways is the Atlantic championships, which are hosted in New Brunswick September 18 to 20. Newell said there’s sure to be more challenges there, but that he’s confident in his team’s ability to do well and bring the championship back to Yarmouth. 

Team Canada Axe Throwing edited

Nova Scotians take home silver, bronze, at World Axe Throwing Championships

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Nova Scotians are bringing home plenty of hardware from the 2026 World Axe Throwing Championships.

The event was held from July 31 to Aug. 2 in Bollnas, Sweden, and saw competitors from 13 different countries come together to compete.

Nova Scotia teams won silver medals in both the men’s and women’s group competition. 

Three’s Company was a mixed gender team competing in the men’s division consisting of Suzy Atwood, Felicia Townsend and John Buchanon. They entered the finals in first place but fell behind the German team in the finals.

The Sisters of Steel, Nadine Lirette, Darlene Pelley and Sandy Cranton also just narrowly missed out on the top spot to a competitive Swedish team. 

Cranton, who’s now attended three Axe Throwing World Championships, said she’s glad to see more women getting involved in the sport.

“There’s definitely been a lot of growth, and the talent has improved, oh my gosh,” said Cranton. “It’s amazing to see everybody, they’re just so supportive and it’s just like you’ve met up with family members that you haven’t seen for a long time.”

In the individual bracket, Tyler Wentzell and Darlene Pelley took home bronze medals in the mens and womens division respectively.

Cranton said she would encourage people to try axe throwing at least once, even if they’re not sure that it’ll be for them.

“I would love to see one in every community, like it’s an everyday thing, like a grocery or corner store,” said Cranton. “I really think it’s just so important that everybody try it.”

axe throwers

Nova Scotia well represented at World Axe-Throwing Championships

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Nova Scotians are sharpening their axes and heading to Europe.

More than 35 competitors from the Maritimes are headed to Bolnas, Sweden, for the World Double Bit Axe-Throwing Championships.

The event is being held from July 31 to Aug. 2, and is being hosted by the Global Axe-Throwing Commission. The group was founded in 2020 and acts as a representative body for the sport of double-bit axe throwing.

In an interview with Acadia News, the owner of Wild Axe Lumberjack AXEperience in Barrington, Darren Hudson, said Canada and the Maritimes are well represented on the international stage.

“Canada has one of the highest numbers as far as representing nations go, it’s the love of axe throwing and these competitions that we host around the Maritimes,” said Hudson. “We’re looking good, we’re shaking things up around the globe. I think we’re going to see some top 10 finishes… I think we could see a world champion come out of Nova Scotia.”

Earlier in July, many of the same competitors heading to Sweden travelled to Thirsk, England, for the U.K Axe-Throwing Championships. 

In the international men’s division, Nova Scotians Bradley Goodsell and Eugene Donaldson took home gold and silver.

On the international women’s side, Tusket’s Sandy Cranton won silver, and Jessica Goodland of Halifax came in third.

Cranton said she’s glad to see more women involved in the sport.

“Some people hear axe-throwing and they picture ‘big burly bearded guys,’” said Cranton. 

Cranton and Goodland are both among those competing in Sweden, and will look to bring home gold to Nova Scotia. 

Neil Lumsden Apr 1 2026

Province expands grant program for sports and recreation facilities

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Municipalities and organizations are being encouraged to get their plans ready.

A new round of funding through the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund is about to be released.

The program offers funding to repair or upgrade existing sport and recreation facilities or build new ones.

The Ford government is adding another $300 million to the fund, bumping it to $500 million.

Sport Minister Neil Lumsden says it is the largest investment since it was created two years ago.

“With this expanded investment, we help more communities modernize aging facilities, build new infrastructure, and ensure people have high-quality spaces to play, train, and stay active,” says Lumsden.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says it will help enhance and expand sport and recreation facilities.

“And will also create jobs and help communities unlock economic opportunities that come from hosting local, national, and international sporting events and competitions,” says Bethlenfalvy.

An initial round of funding supported nearly 100 projects, including the construction of 17 new facilities.

The province intends to release further details regarding eligibility and the application guidelines at a later date.

“To everyone who is planning and putting in an application, I will say this: it’s competitive. Bring your A game,” says Lumsden.