Jayda Veinot first stepped onto the UNB basketball court in 2022 wearing the number 9,    continuing a family tradition that began with her mother, Jennifer. 

“When I was little, I chose number nine and I've worn it ever since. I came to UNB and got to wear it here. That was very special. The first time I put it on, I thought ‘This can't be real.’ I adore my mother for a million reasons, but basketball has been a big part of our dynamic.” 

Jayda, a master of applied health services research student, has spent the past two years making her own mark on the court. “We had two great seasons with an amazing group of girls and fantastic coaches.” 

In her final year, the team reached the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) final, a significant milestone for UNB after several years. “It was a big accomplishment. We hadn’t made it to the finals in a while, so it was exciting for our team.” 

Jayda’s final season was marked by a special seniors' night celebration. “There were seven of us celebrating that night. We had a big, exciting overtime win.” 

During her time at UNB, Jayda’s mother, Jennifer Veinot (BSc’92) played for a powerhouse basketball program that won three Atlantic Universities Athletics Association (AUAA, now AUS) championships during her four years there. 

“Once I narrowed down my university options to schools that provided science degrees, my decision became a basketball decision. The appeal of UNB was that it was a very new experience. It felt like a fresh start and a new challenge.” 

“The first time I put [on the jersey], I thought ‘This can't be real.’ I adore my mother for a million reasons, but basketball has been a big part of our dynamic.” 

During Jennifer’s career at UNB, whichever team won the league championship would host the AUAA championships and only four teams would attend. 

“One year, we went on a losing streak and got to the point where we might not even have made it to playoffs if we didn’t start winning again. But we turned it around, won all our remaining games, and ended up hosting and winning the championships.” 

In her last two years at UNB, Jennifer’s sister Bonnie came to UNB to take her bachelor of education degree and joined Jennifer on the team, adding another layer to their family’s basketball legacy. 

The love of basketball runs deep in the Veinot family –– from her mom, her aunt, and her sister –– with each woman connected through the sport. Jayda proudly mentions a symbol of this connection. 

“All of the women in my family have this tree of life necklace. We all have it and wear it every day.” 

Jayda’s parents met while coaching basketball camps together for Basketball Nova Scotia. They later started a youth basketball program in Port Williams, N.S. All three of their children began playing basketball when young. 

“My mom has coached me since I was three. Our whole lives we have been spending time with each other through the sport. She taught me everything I knew about basketball.” 

Jennifer and Jayda have a great relationship both on and off the court. The mother and daughter grew closer through practices, games, and years of basketball together, although they tried to keep the two sides of their relationship separated. 

“We got to spend a lot of time together, and while other parents had to go home, I got to experience her practices and games — really be there with her,” says Jennifer. 

Jennifer is a mentor for Jayda, both personally and in the basketball environment. 

“She bounces lots of things off me when she wants my opinion or a reflection on something. Jayda has always been an independent person, so she figures a lot of things out on her own, but she definitely knows I am here if she needs me.” 

The two share many similarities as basketball players, especially their roles as guards. “We are both very competitive, we put in a lot of individual time developing our games and do whatever we can to make our teams successful,” says Jennifer. 

Both Jayda and Jennifer love that they can share the memories of playing for UNB and wearing the number 9 jersey. 

“When I came to UNB knowing that’s where my mom went to school,” says Jayda. “It was a really special way to finish my career, in the campus and jersey that she played in when she was here. I knew that whatever happened, we would share this experience moving forward.” 

As Jayda’s time at UNB comes to a close, she’s excited to continue her family’s legacy. She is now joining the UNB coaching staff, mentoring a youth team of under-14 girls. She’s also set to graduate with her master’s degree and hopes to stay in the area to work as a dietitian. 

“We'll see what happens from there. Maybe one day I will end up coaching basketball with my mom if we end up in the same area. I would love to do that.”