Monthly Archives:September 2018

last update, October 31, 2025

The countdown is on! The 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse will take place from March 7 to 15, 2026, and Team NT trials are scheduled for January 7 to 11, 2026. It’s time to rally your athletes, coaches, and communities to be part of Team NT and represent the North on one of the biggest stages for northern sport, culture, and spirit. Visit the Sport North website and their Facebook page for the latest updates and opportunities to get involved.

Team NT Table Tennis

Coach selection policy
Athlete selection policy
Discipline policy

Team NT Applications Now Open

You can now apply online for the following roles:

• Mission Staff – Be at the heart of the Games! Mission Staff are key to Team NT’s success. This team of dedicated volunteers makes everything run smoothly before, during, and after the Games. They support athletes, coaches, and families every step of the way.
• Registration Information Important dates and details are available now for:
  • Athletes
  • Coaches
  • Chaperones

Team NT Policies and Handbooks

The following documents are available on the Sport North website to help guide your journey:

• Team NT Sport Integrity Policy
• 2026 Arctic Winter Games Team NT Participant Handbook
• 2026 Arctic Winter Games Team NT Participant Eligibility Policy
• 2026 Arctic Winter Games Sport Technical Packages

Payments – Scrolll down to the bottom and see the 2026 Arctic Winter Games Territorial Trials Registration Fee link.

Need Support? Contact Your Regional Coordinator

North Slave – Colinda Blondin
Bechoko, Dettah, Ndilo, Gameti, Lutsel K’e, Wekweeti, Whati, Gameti
(867) 392-6803 | Colinda_blondin@gov.nt.ca

Yellowknife – Andrew Gilmour
(613) 217-7122 | Andrew.gilmour@ntssa.ca

South Slave – Kyle Donovan
Fort Smith, Hay River, Enterprise, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Kakisa Lake, K’atlodeeche
(867) 445-7791 | Kyle_donovan@gov.nt.ca

Beaufort Delta – Josh McDonald
Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tsigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok
(867) 678-8045 ext. 21661 | Josh_mcdonald@gov.nt.ca

Sahtu – Alex Robertson
Colville Lake, Deline, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Tulita
(867) 587-7116 | Alexander_robertson@gov.nt.ca

Dehcho – Nathan McPherson
Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Sambaa K’e, Wrigley
(867) 695-7227 | Nathan_mcpherson@gov.nt.ca

After years of hosting TT4ALL events across the Northwest Territories, Table Tennis North is thrilled to bring the energy back to Fort Smith for a four-day celebration of connection, movement, and community spirit.

From November 20 to 23, 2025, the Town of Fort Smith will welcome youth, adults, and families to the PWK Gym for a weekend full of fun, learning, and friendly competition. The event includes school programming, community drop-in sessions, a skills clinic, and a weekend tournament with categories for youth, open singles, and doubles.

A Grand Reopening and New Beginnings

Friday evening will mark the grand opening of the Fort Smith Table Tennis Club, featuring dedicated sessions for both youth and adults. It’s a new chapter for the town’s growing interest in Table Tennis, and a chance to bring everyone together around the table, whether picking up a paddle for the first time or returning after years away.

Full Weekend Lineup
• Thursday & Friday Evenings – Community Table Tennis nights for youth (12+) and adults
• Friday – Full-day school programming at PWK
• Saturday Morning – Youth Skills Clinic (ages 12–17), followed by free play
• Saturday Afternoon – Youth Singles Tournament (2 PM) and Open Doubles (4 PM)
• Sunday Morning – Open Singles Tournament (10 AM)

All events will take place at PWK Gym, with equipment provided and no experience necessary. There will be prizes and gift cards available to encourage participation, especially from youth who may be new to the sport.

Gratitude to Our Partners

This TT4ALL event would not be possible without the continued support of our funding partners: Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) and the Mackenzie Recreation Association. Their commitment to inclusive and accessible sport opportunities across the territory makes events like this possible.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the Town of Fort Smith, PWK High School, and especially to Ms. Sarah Nelson and Lesley, whose enthusiasm and coordination are helping bring this event to life.

Together, we are building more than a weekend of sport, we are building community, confidence, and belonging one paddle at a time.

Fort Smith, NT – Table Tennis North is excited to host a free Community Coaching Course on Saturday, November 23rd from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at PWK High School.

This introductory course is part of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and is perfect for anyone looking to get involved in coaching table tennis at the community level. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, volunteer, or athlete ready to give back, this course offers a great opportunity to learn how to lead fun, inclusive, and safe sessions.

No experience necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Upon completion, participants will receive NCCP recognition and be better prepared to support youth programming across the Northwest Territories.

To register click HERE or learn more, contact Table Tennis North or simply show up on the day. Let’s grow the game together!

Application Deadline: November 17, 2025

The Arctic Winter Games are a powerful celebration of culture, sport, and community across the circumpolar North. Taking place in Whitehorse, Yukon in 2026, this event brings together athletes from across the Northwest Territories and beyond in a unique show of talent, pride, and connection.

Sport North is looking for dedicated volunteer Mission Staff to support Team NT (Northwest Territories) on this journey. Mission Staff are the behind-the-scenes leaders who help make the Games run smoothly. From logistics to team support, they are the primary contacts for sports leading up to, during, and after the Games.

What You Need to Know:
• Deadline to apply: November 17, 2025
• Volunteer role: Travel, accommodations, and meals are provided
• Pre-Games meetings: Held over lunch hours on Dec 11, Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19, and Mar 3
• Application includes: Two reference letters and employer leave approval

Apply here & learn more: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AWGMissionstaff

Team NT is more than athletes and coaches, it’s the community behind them. If you’re ready to support Northern youth, culture, and sport, this is your opportunity to step forward. #weareallteamnt

A familiar sight on northern roads, the Table Tennis North truck, made possible through our valued partnership with Aurora Ford, has become an essential part of our movement, building work across the Northwest Territories.

Captured in a new video that follows the truck through all four seasons, this vehicle tells a powerful story of resilience, community, and the journey of sport. From icy crossings to sunny highways, the Table Tennis North truck has delivered equipment, events, and opportunities to 29 communities and counting.

Whether it’s helping set up a school program, preparing for the Territorial Championships, or simply sparking joy in a youth picking up a paddle for the first time, this truck has become a symbol of connection, not just between communities, but between values.

Our partnership with Aurora Ford is rooted in shared purpose: believing in youth, in access, and in what’s possible when we support each other. This isn’t just sponsorship. It’s a relationship built on trust, action, and showing up, in every season.

We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Aurora Ford and for the shared vision that keeps us moving forward.

Together, we’re creating movement, one community, one story, one drive at a time.

At Table Tennis North, we believe every girl belongs in sport.

That’s why we’re proud to support the new national Get Girl Coached campaign, led by Canadian Women & Sport. This initiative calls on coaches, sport leaders, and decision makers across the country to listen to girls, learn from them, and design programs where they can truly thrive.

In the North, we know that participation in sport builds confidence, connection, and community. But we also know that too many girls drop out of sport before they reach their full potential. With the right support, the right coaches, and the right opportunities, we can change that.

What We’re Doing

Table Tennis North continues to embed physical literacy into everything we do, with a strong focus on:
• Motivation and fun first programs
• Confidence-building through inclusive competition
• Competence in movement and technical skills
• Knowledge through coach mentorship and leadership

We’ve also launched initiatives like:
• Girls Coaching Girls: Mentorship and peer-led training
• Women in Table Tennis Campaign (with TTCAN)
• Leadership opportunities at events like the Arctic Winter Games

Our Challenge to the Table Tennis Community

If you coach, listen to the girls on your team
If you lead a club, create safe, inclusive spaces
If you’re a parent or teacher, encourage participation
If you’re a girl in sport, your voice matters.

Together, let’s build a system that keeps girls playing, and lets them lead the way.

Learn more: www.keepgirlsplaying.ca

It all comes down to this. The 2025 Territorial Table Tennis Championships are set for November 15–16, 2025 at Weledeh School in Yellowknife, and it is time to crown the best in the North!

Athletes from across the Northwest Territories will gather to compete for the ultimate title in a weekend filled with energy, excitement, and Northern pride. Whether you are stepping up to the table for the first time or returning to defend your title, this is your moment.

Venue: Weledeh School, Yellowknife

Championship Schedule
November 15 – 6:00 PM | Open Doubles
November 16 – 10:00 AM | Youth Singles (U18)
November 16 – 1:00 PM | Open Singles

This championship marks the final event of the season and a celebration of the skill, sportsmanship, and growth of our NWT Table Tennis community.

Want to Play?
Participation requires a Table Tennis North membership ($11 per person).
Payments can be sent by e-transfer to info@tabletennisnorth.ca.

Register here: https://forms.gle/dxT5kJWyWZCapv6g6
Registration deadline: November 11, 2025

Let’s bring the passion, precision, and spirit of competition to Yellowknife and finish the season in style as we crown the 2025 Territorial Champions!

At the heart of Table Tennis North’s powerful initiative is a fundamental belief: every child deserves a chance to flourish, regardless of their background or circumstances. Table Tennis is more than just a sport; it is a transformative platform that empowers and inspires young individuals.

Through our mentorship programs, coaching development, and youth outreach, we strive to foster a sense of belonging and achievement. From Fort Smith to Tuktoyaktuk, our programs help youth build skills, friendships, and confidence.

On September 30th, we wear orange to remember, reflect, and celebrate resilience. This day honours Indigenous children and families and acknowledges the ongoing journey toward healing and reconciliation. By standing together in solidarity, we reinforce our commitment to supporting every child in our community.

We are proud to be part of the Northwest Territories, where we strive to champion the holistic well-being of every child. Their dreams matter, and through the power of Table Tennis, we can help them realize their potential. Join us in this important mission to uplift and empower the next generation, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to shine.

Across the North, in schools, on rinks, fields, gyms, and trails, our communities are moving, playing, and competing. And while we celebrate that active spirit, it’s just as important that we look out for each other along the way. Concussion Awareness Week is about more than just posters and policies. It’s about real conversations, shared understanding, and learning how to support one another when something doesn’t feel quite right.

That’s why we’re starting this week with a simple message: Concussions can happen to anyone, and knowing what to do matters.

We’re sharing four easy-to-follow posters you’ll see in schools, community spaces, and sport settings across the Northwest Territories:

Concussion Myths – Think you need to hit your head to have a concussion? Not true. Let’s clear up the confusion and get the facts straight.

Recognizing a Potential Concussion – From dizziness and headaches to “just not feeling right,” here are the signs we should all know, whether you’re a coach, a player, a parent, or a teammate.

Preventing Concussions – Smart planning, good equipment, and safe environments go a long way. Prevention starts before the whistle blows.

Return to Sport – Healing isn’t a race. Returning too soon can lead to serious consequences. Let’s support each other through recovery and return with care.

Whether you’re new to sport or have been coaching for decades, there’s always more to learn when it comes to brain health. And the more we talk, the safer we make our communities. Let’s make this week about awareness, not fear. About listening, not blaming. About protecting each other, on and off the field.

So, ask questions. Share your story. Look out for one another. Because every brain is worth protecting.

September 15–21, 2025

From the Arctic Winter Games to the Canada Games, from national championships to weekly practices in our northern communities, our coaches are the heart of Table Tennis North. They lead with passion, build safe and fun learning spaces, and help athletes thrive both on and off the table.

This year marks the 11th annual National Coaches Week, a time to recognize the incredible contributions of coaches across Canada. Right here in the Northwest Territories, we’re proud to celebrate the coaches who guide Team NT, support youth in remote communities, and keep the sport moving forward.

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing stories, athlete shout-outs, and opportunities to learn and grow. Whether you’re a coach, parent, athlete, or community supporter, we invite you to join in and say #ThanksCoach in your own way.

Free NCCP Online Learning During National Coaches Week

Coaches across Canada can access free National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) eLearning modules through The Locker. This is a great chance to expand your skills and knowledge:

• September 15 – Coach Initiation in Sport (FREE): https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#CIS
• September 16 – Creating a Positive Sport Environment (FREE): https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#CPSE
• September 17 – Sport Nutrition (FREE): https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#SN
• September 18 – Coaching Athletes with a Disability (FREE): https://thelocker.coach.ca/onlinelearning#CAD

Want to help us celebrate?

Use this Participation Guide filled with ideas and ways to get involved. From social media shoutouts to team celebrations.

You can even record a video message:

• Athletes: https://vocalvideo.com/c/coaching-association-of-canada-cac-national-coaches-week-athletes
• Coaches: https://vocalvideo.com/c/cac-national-coaches-week-coaches

Let’s recognize the coaches who lead with heart, every serve, every smile, every step of the way.