Mahone Bay United first club to join Halifax Wanderers development program
Mahone Bay United is a club on the rise.
Be it through their growing registration, recently launched futsal league or new partnership with the Halifax Wanderers, the communityfocused football club is working to create accessible and affordable programming to kids throughout the South Shore.
In fact, Mahone Bay United is the first youth football club in Atlantic Canada to join the Halifax Wanderers’ inaugural development program. This new program was announced at the beginning of February and aims to share the professional expertise of Wanderers’ coaches and staff to help grow the game across Atlantic Canada.
Matt Fegan, sporting director for the Wanderers, said in a statement that the partnership will further help Mahone Bay United share and develop their programming with kids across the South Shore.
“We’ve had the pleasure to get to know (Mahone Bay United’s) leadership over the past year and are truly impressed with the work they have done to make football accessible and build more participation for the love of the game in their community. We can’t wait to work with Mahone Bay United in player and coach development to help them continue to grow the game in their community and beyond,” said Fegan.
Given Mahone Bay United’s growth in recent years, the partnership is a big next step for their organization.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Francis Kangata, co-founder and board member for Mahone Bay United, said it’s incredible to see how much the club has grown since its inception in 2015. Back then, a total of 15 kids were registered. Fast-forward to 2024 and nearly 300 kids have signed up for the club’s winter programs.
“For me, there’s interest from the larger community, kids talk about it and hopefully we can get an even larger base of players,” he said of the growth.
Over that time, the club has prioritized making football accessible.
“Our approach has been trying to develop a love for the game and to create accessibility for the game primarily in Mahone Bay but also in the South Shore and hopefully the province in one form or another,” explained Kangata. “Part of the reason Mahone Bay United was formed was because not every kid was getting access to soccer through the formal soccer structure.”
Kangata said keeping costs low and providing various levels of sport — ranging from kids who just want to play to more competitive programming — is key to meeting the needs of the community. The results, he added, can be seen in the sense of confidence kids find through football and the growing sense of community.
“Our idea is to continue to spread the ideas and enthusiasm we have across the region,” he said.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
Mahone Bay United coaches have previously worked with Wanderers staff for programming but through the new partnership are guaranteed more guidance and time.
Jed Davies, the head of youth development and first team assistant coach with the Wanderers, said he’ll be working closely with Mahone Bay United to focus on player development. He noted he spends several hours a month helping with everything from in class sessions to drills through Mahone Bay United’s various programs.
“My involvement comes from a very niche background of trying to get players to pro but I also recognize the human element of that,” he explained. “I think (Mahone Bay’s programming) captures all types of people.”
Davies has had the opportunity to coach all over the world and stressed how impressed he is with the culture and philosophy in Mahone Bay.
“I’d like to think it comes across that what Mahone Bay United are doing is not your run of the mill community program. I’ve never seen anything like what they’re doing in North America,” he said.
Kangata noted innovation starts with forward thinking and is something the club has strived for since its inception.
“For us to build the game and expand the game, we need to try out new ideas and create a landscape that allows new ideas to come to the forefront,” he said.
The Wanderers development program is available to all interested football clubs in Atlantic Canada.