Monthly Archives:September 2015

Behind every elite athlete is a community that believes in them, and sometimes, that community stretches across the country.

As Ivy Liao, a Vancouver based National Team athlete, prepares to represent Team Canada at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany (July 28 – August 8, 2025), she does so with the support of a unique and values driven partnership between Table Tennis North and the Richmond Olympic Oval.

While Ivy trains at the Oval in preparation for international competition, she’s also giving back, serving as a mentor for youth in the Northwest Territories through Table Tennis North. It’s a beautiful cycle of empowerment. Ivy receives high-performance support from one of Canada’s premier facilities, and in turn, shares her experience and encouragement with young players who may one day follow in her footsteps.

“This partnership reflects the kind of sport ecosystem we want to see in Canada,” says Thorsten Gohl, Executive Director of Table Tennis North. “It’s about lifting each other up, creating conditions for our national athletes to thrive, while making space for youth to feel seen and supported.”

Mentorship programs like this do more than inspire. They break isolation, build confidence, and connect players across regions and generations. For Ivy, it’s a chance to be a visible role model. For the youth she supports, it’s a reminder that excellence is possible, no matter where you live. The Richmond Olympic Oval plays a critical role in this story. By providing Ivy with the resources and space to train, they’re not only helping her reach her goals, they’re helping build the future of Table Tennis in Canada.

“It has been such an incredible journey to grow as an athlete with the Oval’s support, while connecting with youth in the Northwest Territories as a mentor. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received, and it means a lot to also play a role in empowering and inspiring younger athletes. I’m looking forward to competing alongside my teammates at the World University Games and will do my best to make Canada proud!” – Ivy Liao

As Ivy steps onto the global stage at the FISU Games, she carries the strength of partnership, the power of community, and the belief that when we support each other, everyone rises. Table Tennis North is proud to stand alongside Ivy, and the Richmond Olympic Oval in championing a model of sport that values both excellence and connection. Good luck, Ivy! 

Richmond Olympic Oval, British Columbia
July 18–23, 2025

The stage is set! Team Northwest Territories is ready to compete at the 2025 Senior Canadian Table Tennis Championships, hosted July 18–20 at the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia.

LIVE STREAM – Watch our Northern athletes in action live from the Richmond Olympic Oval.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY – Celebrate the moments with us, on and off the table! Use the hashtag #TeamNT and #weareallteamnt to share your support and find us on Facebook & Instagram.

SCHEDULE

RESULTS & DRAWS

Men’s Doubles – Round of 32 – RESULTS
Meech Dullaert / Suhaan Gulati (ON) vs. Tommaso Cai / Neilson Vandell (NT) 3:0

Women’s Doubles – Round of 16 – RESULTS
Kathleen Cai (NT) / Polina Sirotina (MB) vs. Ruoyan Yang / Sunny Zhang (ON) 0:3

Mixed Doubles – Round of 32 – RESULTS
Demi Yu Ting / Suhaan Gulati (ON) vs. Kathleen Cai / Tommaso Cai (NT) 3:0

Men’s Singles – Group C – RESULTS

• Jonathan S. Li (BC)
• Lucas Xie (ON)
• Babu Thiravidamani (NB)
• Neilson Vandell (NT)

Neilson Vandell (NT) vs. Jonathan S. Li (BC) 0:3 
Neilson Vandell (NT) vs. Lucas Xie (ON) 0:3

Women’s Singles – Group J – RESULTS

• Amy Zhao (ON)
• Jayme Li (BC)
• Coco Zhang (ON)
• Kathleen Cai (NT)

Men’s Singles Over 40 – RESULTS

• Michael Zisman (BC)
• Lawrence Zhang (AB)
• Eddy Lee (AB)
• Tommaso Cai (NT)

Tommaso Cai (NT) vs. Michael Zisman (BC) – 0:3

MEET OUR ATHLETES – Get to know the dedicated players, coaches, and officials representing the Northwest Territories.

Neilson Vandell – Open Singles, Open Men Doubles
Tommaso Cai – O40 Singles, Men Doubles
Kathleen Cai – Women Singles, Women Doubles, Mixed Doubles

Isaiah Elleze – U15 Team, U17 Singles, U15 Singles
Kaleb Sabourin – U15 Team, U15 Singles, U13 Singles
Calin Landry – U13 Team, U15 Singles, U13 Singles
Zander Sabourin – U13 Team, U13 Singles, U11 Singles
Kathleen Cai – U17 Singles, U15 Singles

Let’s cheer loud and proud for Team NT as they compete with heart, hustle, and Northern spirit!

The Indigenous Sport Circle NWT (ISCNWT) is now accepting applications for its Community Development Grant Program, a funding initiative designed to support recreation, sport development, and cultural activities that involve physical activity across the Northwest Territories.

This grant helps offset costs associated with community based programs and events that promote wellness, movement, and cultural connection.

• Key Details:
  Application period (this year only): July 1 – July 31, 2025
• Regular intake windows: May 1–31 and November 1–30 (starting in 2026)
• Projects must take place in the NWT
• Multiple applications per community are welcome (for different projects)
• A letter of support from a Community Champion or organization is required
• A final report is required upon project completion
• Priority will be given to free, inclusive events that build capacity and benefit the entire community

Note, ISCNWT funding is intended to assist with costs, not fully fund a project. If you’ve previously received funding, you are welcome to apply again, but new applicants may be prioritized.

Ineligible Costs:

• Staff wages
• Per diems
• Cash prizes

This is a great opportunity for schools, sport groups, youth programs, and community leaders to access support for local movement, sport, or cultural events. Applications are only accepted during the intake window. Be sure to plan ahead!

As we mark Canada Day in the North, we do so with deep respect for the land, the people, and the stories that came long before us, and continue to guide us forward.

Table Tennis North is proud to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the Dene, Métis, and Inuit Peoples of the Northwest Territories. These lands are not just landscapes, but living spaces filled with history, teachings, and community. Today, and every day, we recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities in shaping who we are, as individuals, as a sport, and as a country.

Table Tennis is a sport of connection. In small northern communities and across the territory, it has become a way to gather, to play, to build confidence, and to share joy. Whether in school gyms, recreation centers, or on makeshift tables, we’ve seen how the paddle and ball can spark moments of laughter, focus, and belonging.

This Canada Day, we celebrate the many cultures and identities that make the North so vibrant. We also reaffirm our commitment to making Table Tennis a welcoming space for all, rooted in respect, accessibility, and inclusion. To the youth, coaches, Elders, volunteers, and community leaders who continue to shape our journey: Thank you!!! Your spirit and support are what make this movement meaningful.

From all of us at Table Tennis North, Happy Canada Day. May we continue to learn, share, and rally together, on land that holds us all.

Table Tennis North is proud to support the 2025 Canadian Table Tennis Championships, hosted by Table Tennis Canada at the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval in British Columbia. This national event brings together the country’s top players for a celebration of skill, speed, and sportsmanship.

Location: Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road, Richmond, BC
Senior Championships: July 18–20, 2025
Junior Championships: July 20–23, 2025

Representing the North
We’re excited to announce that Table Tennis North will be sending a youth team to the national championships, only the second time in our history! Congratulations to the following athletes:

• Tommaso Cai
• Kathleen Cai
• Neilson Vandell
• Zander Sabourin
• Kaleb Sabourin
• Calin Landry
• Isaiah Elleze

Your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to the entire NWT Table tennis community.

Categories and Entry Lists:

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (July 18–20)
Participant List – Singles, XD, WD, MD

JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (July 20–23)
Participant List – Singles, Teams

Visit Table Tennis Canada for full event details, rules, and updates.

Join us in Richmond this July as we celebrate the energy, excellence, and community of Canadian Table Tennis with a flair of Northern Community.

Celebrating the Spirit of Sport, Community, and Support Across the North

June 2025, Northwest Territories – Originally started by Table Tennis North, Hockey NWT, and Badminton NWT in the lead-up to the 2023 multi-sport games, the #WeAreAllTeamNT campaign has grown into a territory-wide movement. With over 3,000 hashtag uses across social media and countless moments of community pride, the campaign is now entering a new chapter, with a bold new logo and the launch of an official online store.

#WeAreAllTeamNT shines a spotlight on the people behind the athletes. The parents, volunteers, teachers, coaches, zamboni drivers, recreation staff, and countless others who support Team NT in ways big and small. It is a reminder that success in sport is never achieved alone.

The online store is open from June 23 to July 6, 2025
Orders will ship in time for the 2025 Canada Summer Games
Shop here: https://store.vbsapparel.ca/weareallteamnt/shop/home

This first store opening is a test run to gauge interest and give supporters across the territory a chance to wear their pride. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, packing snacks, driving to practice, or coaching from the sidelines, this is your campaign too.

CONTEST ALERT
The first 5 people to email info@tabletennisnorth.ca will receive a #WeAreAllTeamNT pin and sticker, a small thank you for being part of something bigger.

A Logo That Reflects the North

The #WeAreAllTeamNT logo is more than just a design, it’s a powerful representation of unity, inclusion, and northern identity. At its center is the hashtag, symbolizing connection and shared purpose. The vibrant, mosaic-style “NT” reflects the diversity of people, communities, and perspectives that make up the Northwest Territories.

The colors draw from the land, deep lakes, green forests, northern lights, and starlit skies, all framed by a white outline symbolizing clarity, resilience, and unity. Like the snow that connects our communities, the outline pulls every piece together.

This logo doesn’t belong to any one organization. It belongs to the people who show up, every day, to support movement, growth, and opportunity for young athletes across the North.

Because it’s not just about the players on the field. It’s about all of us who support, believe, and belong.

#WeAreAllTeamNT

Every year on June 23, the world comes together to celebrate Olympic Day, a global movement that unites people through the joy of sport and physical activity. Inspired by the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the Olympic values: excellence, friendship, and respect.

This year’s theme, Let’s Move, is a call to action. It’s about inspiring everyone, in every corner of the globe, to take a step, swing a paddle, jump, stretch, or simply find joy in motion.

At Table Tennis North, we are proud to be part of this global celebration. Whether it’s youth picking up a paddle for the first time, coaches leading inclusive community programs, or Northern athletes dreaming of international podiums, movement is at the heart of everything we do.

Why Table Tennis?

Table Tennis is a sport that reflects the Olympic spirit in every serve and rally:
•It builds focus, coordination, and confidence.
•It brings people together across generations and cultures.
•It’s accessible, adaptable, and full of joy, whether played on a kitchen table or a competition stage.

Olympic Day History

The first Olympic Day was celebrated on June 23, 1948, and today, more than 150 National Olympic Committees participate each year. The event includes fun runs, youth festivals, community workouts, and now more than ever, creative, culturally relevant ways to get moving.

Our Northern Contribution

Table Tennis North is committed to supporting the Olympism365 vision, making sport more accessible and inclusive across Canada’s North. Through school programs, community events, mentorship, and leadership development, we are helping build resilient, healthy communities, one swing at a time.

Share Your Movement

Join the global conversation! Post a photo or video of how you’re getting active and tag: #LetsMove | #OlympicDay | #TableTennisNorth #weareallteamnt

Let’s show the world how the North moves, with energy, connection, and community spirit. Thank you to all our players, coaches, volunteers, and partners who help bring the Olympic spirit to life every day in the Northwest Territories.

Happy Olympic Day from all of us at Table Tennis North!

June 21st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, a day to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across the country.

In the North, this day holds deep meaning. It’s more than a celebration, it’s a reflection of identity, community, and the strength that has carried Indigenous peoples through generations. At Table Tennis North, we are honoured to share space, build relationships, and learn alongside the communities we serve.

Sport as Connection

Table Tennis may seem like a small paddle and ball game, but in Northern communities, it has become a tool for connection. It brings Elders and youth together, offers moments of joy and movement, and supports wellbeing through play. Our programs are shaped by the people and places we work with. We listen, adapt, and celebrate the unique ways sport can be practiced and shared.

Walking Together

On this day, we recommit to listening deeply and walking alongside Indigenous communities in a spirit of respect, partnership, and humility. Whether we are delivering a tournament in Fort Smith, hosting a school workshop in Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́, or offering mentorship in Inuvik, we recognize that sport happens on land, and land holds memory, meaning, and teachings.

Stories That Matter

We believe in lifting up local voices. Whether it’s an Elder sharing a teaching, a youth stepping into leadership, or a community coming together for a ping pong night at the school gym, these are the stories that matter. These are the stories we want to honour and grow with.

Thank You / Mahsi Cho

To the Indigenous coaches, players, volunteers, and families who have opened their communities to Table Tennis North, Mahsi Cho. Your guidance helps us shape a sport experience that is inclusive, meaningful, and grounded in community values.

While completing his Advanced Coaching Diploma, Thorsten also took part in and successfully completed the PacificSport Vancouver Island Coach Academy, an eight-month program that supports coaches through NCCP courses, applied coaching workshops, and mentorship.

For Thorsten, this wasn’t just about personal growth, it was about bringing valuable learning back to the North and to the sport of Table Tennis. Programs like this provide far more than sport-specific knowledge; they create space for coaches to connect, share, reflect, and grow together across disciplines and regions.

The PSVI Coach Academy, which Thorsten completed in June 2025, offers a flexible model through a mix of online sessions, self-paced coursework, and mentor-driven activities, all supported by experienced educators and coaches.

A huge thank you to Spider Jones at Sport North for introducing this opportunity to NWT coaches and for the financial support through the “They Can Coach” program. This kind of investment ensures that coaches from Northern communities continue to thrive, learn, and lead with heart.

What an incredible year it has been for the Fort Providence Table Tennis Club! From regular training sessions and local tournaments to traveling for competitions and building friendships, our club has grown stronger, faster, and closer.

This year wasn’t just about medals or rankings, it was about showing up, trying your best, and becoming better on and off the table. We are so proud of every athlete who stepped up this season. Most importantly, you should be proud of yourself. Every serve, every rally, every act of kindness or effort, it all matters.

Here are this year’s Club Award winners:

Most Improved Player – Zander Sabourin
Zander has come a long way since first picking up a paddle. He’s shown consistent improvement every practice, recently qualified for his first Fort Providence Major Championship, won the 2025 Dehcho Open Doubles, and placed 3rd in the Youth Category. His dedication and attitude point to a bright future ahead!

Sportsmanship Award – Neilson Vandell
Neilson has set the bar for sportsmanship this season. Win or lose, he treats every opponent with respect and kindness. He’s always lending a hand, offering encouragement, and bringing a positive energy to the club. His leadership and generosity do not go unnoticed.

Player of the Year – Kaleb Sabourin
Kaleb has had an outstanding year. Approaching his second year with the club, he’s made massive strides. His achievements include:

• 2025 NT School Champion
• 2025 Fort Providence Major 1 Winner
• 2025 Dehcho Open and Youth Open Champion

At only 11 years old, Kaleb has already defeated some of Fort Providence’s top players. He’s consistent, focused, and passionate, and we can’t wait to see where table tennis takes him next.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and to every member of the Fort Providence Table Tennis Club. Whether you held a paddle for the first time or pushed yourself to new limitsm your journey is worth celebrating.

Let’s keep growing, learning, and lifting each other up, one point at a time.