Monthly Archives:November 2024

The official draws have been released for the 2026 Canadian Junior Table Tennis Championships, and Team NT’s Kathleen Cai is ready to represent the Northwest Territories on the national stage in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from July 19 to 23.

Kathleen will compete in three events, taking on some of Canada’s top young athletes while continuing to build valuable national championship experience.

In the Girls Under 19 Team event, Kathleen will join forces with Joanna Raj (New Brunswick) as part of a combined New Brunswick/Northwest Territories team. The partnership highlights the collaborative spirit of Canadian table tennis, giving athletes from smaller provinces and territories the opportunity to compete in the team competition. Team NB/NT has been drawn into Group D, where they will face Alberta, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island in the round robin. Kathleen and her teammates will be looking to advance to the championship bracket with strong performances against three talented provincial teams.

In Girls Under 17 Singles, Kathleen has been drawn into Group C, where she will face:

• Liu Wendy (Ontario)
• Arif Maryam (Prince Edward Island)
• Zhao Qinrong Valeria (Alberta)

The top athlete from the group will advance directly to the main draw.

In Girls Under 15 Singles, Kathleen will compete in Group E against:

• Zhang Sophia (Ontario)
• Chui Chloe (British Columbia)
• Hector Turi (Saskatchewan)

The top two athletes from each group will advance to the main draw.

Representing Team NT at a national championship is an achievement that reflects Kathleen’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to the sport. Competing in multiple age categories, along with the Under 19 Team event, will provide valuable experience as she continues her development against some of Canada’s best young players.

Everyone at Table Tennis North wishes Kathleen the very best of luck at the 2026 Canadian Junior Championships. We look forward to cheering her on throughout the week and watching her proudly represent the Northwest Territories on the national stage.

Good luck, Kathleen!!!

The draws have now been released for the 2026 Canadian Senior Table Tennis Championships, taking place July 17 to 23 at the Duckworth Centre, University of Winnipeg. Team Northwest Territories is looking forward to competing against many of Canada’s top athletes as the country’s best gather to battle for national titles.

Representing the Northwest Territories in the senior events are Kathleen Cai, Akiko Iwase, Tommaso Cai, and Darren Woodland, each ready to test themselves against strong competition from across Canada.

Women’s Singles

Kathleen Cai has been drawn into Group E, where she will face:

• Cindy Zhu (Ontario)
• Polina Sirotina (Manitoba)
• Jasmine Patry (Quebec)

Kathleen continues to gain valuable national experience and will look to build on her strong performances over the past few seasons.

Akiko Iwase has been drawn into Group F, where she will compete against:

• Nelina Murdanaigum (Quebec)
• Wendy Liu (Ontario)
• Jingxi Gao (British Columbia)

The top athletes from each group will advance to the championship draw.

Women’s 40+

Akiko will also compete in the Women’s 40+ event, where she will take on:

• Dong Liu (Ontario)
• Ann Zhang (Manitoba)
• Pingye Zhang (Saskatchewan)

Men’s Singles

Darren Woodland has been drawn into Group M, where he will face:

• Jason Louie (Alberta)
• Dino Sepulveda (Manitoba)
• AaronWang (Ontario)

Men’s 40+

The Northwest Territories will have two athletes competing in the Men’s 40+ event.

Tommaso Cai has been drawn into Group E, where he will face:

• Shady Elleithy (Ontario)
• Hamid Zahedi (Manitoba)
• Zhongzi Chen (Alberta)

Darren Woodland has been drawn into Group F, where he will compete against:

• Danny Mallet (New Brunswick)
• Gordon Pruden (Manitoba)
• Md Serajul Islam (Saskatchewan)

Mixed Doubles

Team NT will also be represented in Mixed Doubles, where Darren Woodland and Akiko Iwase will face Mihir Herlekar and Yuhe Bai, both from British Columbia, in the opening round. The winners will advance to the main championship draw.

Official Draw

The Canadian Championships provide an incredible opportunity to compete against some of the country’s strongest players while gaining valuable national-level experience. Team NT has been preparing throughout the season, and we are excited to watch Kathleen, Akiko, Tommaso, and Darren proudly represent the Northwest Territories in Winnipeg.

We wish all four athletes the very best of luck as they take on the nation’s top players. The entire Northwest Territories table tennis community will be cheering them on throughout the championships. Go Team NT!

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is inviting residents, organizations, and communities to help shape an important decision about the future of sport and recreation in the North.

The GNWT is currently exploring whether the Northwest Territories should submit a bid to host the 2035 Canada Winter Games. No decision has been made, and public feedback will play an important role in determining the next steps.

A recently released feasibility review examines what hosting the Games could involve. The report highlights potential opportunities, including strengthening tourism, supporting infrastructure and housing development, generating economic activity, and showcasing northern and Indigenous cultures on a national stage.

At the same time, the review notes that hosting the Games would be a significant undertaking requiring years of planning, investment, coordination, and collaboration across the territory.

For NT School Sports, the conversation is especially important because of the potential impact on youth. Hosting a Canada Winter Games could inspire a new generation of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and leaders. It could provide opportunities for increased participation in sport, improved facilities, enhanced training environments, and a chance for young people to experience a major national event close to home.

At the same time, it is important to consider the challenges, priorities, and resources required to successfully host an event of this scale. The GNWT is seeking feedback on both the opportunities and concerns associated with a potential bid.

The current engagement process is not about deciding how the Games would be hosted. Rather, it is about determining whether pursuing a bid is in the best interests of the Northwest Territories.

Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on:

• Potential benefits and opportunities

• Concerns or risks

• Community priorities and readiness

• Conditions that would need to be in place for success

Following the consultation period, the GNWT will review all feedback received and publish a “What We Heard” report. This information will help inform the decision on whether the Northwest Territories should move forward with a bid.

The public engagement period is open until June 25, 2026.

Whether you are a student-athlete, coach, teacher, parent, volunteer, sport leader, or community member, your perspective matters.

To learn more and complete the survey, visit: https://haveyoursay.nwt-tno.ca/2035-canada-winter-games

The future of sport in the Northwest Territories is a conversation that belongs to all of us.

Athletes from Yellowknife and Fort Providence came together this past weekend for the 2026 Dehcho Open, hosted by the Fort Providence Table Tennis Club at Deh Gah School.

The event welcomed players of all ages and skill levels for a full day of Table Tennis, community connection, and friendly competition in the North. From youth singles to doubles and open singles events, the tournament showcased both developing athletes and experienced players sharing the tables together.

More than just competition, the Dehcho Open continues to highlight the importance of sport in bringing communities together. Events like this create opportunities for athletes to learn from one another, build friendships, and continue growing the sport of table tennis across the Northwest Territories.

Results

Singles
🥇 Aki
🥈 Neilson
🥉 Calin

Youth Singles
🥇 Calin
🥈 Kaleb
🥉 Zander

Doubles
🥇 Neilson / Calin
🥈 Isaiah / Zander
🥉 Aki / Hiro

A huge thank you to the Fort Providence Table Tennis Club, volunteers, athletes, families, and supporters for making another successful Dehcho Open possible.

Fort Providence Table Tennis Club

May 16, 2026

The Dehcho Open is back, bringing together players from across the region for a full day of table tennis, competition, and community.

Hosted at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, this event welcomes players of all ages and skill levels, with opportunities to compete, connect, and enjoy the game.

Event Schedule

• 10:00 AM – Youth Singles
• 1:30 PM – Doubles
• 3:00 PM – Singles

Event Details

• Location: TT Arena, Fort Providence
• Events: Youth Singles, Doubles, Singles
• Cost: Free to participate

Registration

If you would like to sign up, please reach out to info@tabletennisnorth.ca.

Deadline to register: May 14, 2026

The Dehcho Open is about more than competition. It is a chance to bring communities together, support player development, and create positive sport experiences in the North.

We look forward to welcoming athletes, families, and supporters for a great day of Table Tennis.

Across the South Slave, there are so many ideas waiting to happen. A tournament in a school gym. A weekend camp that brings youth from different communities together. A few days of learning, playing, and connecting through sport. These moments do not always start big, but they grow into something meaningful. The Regional Youth Sport Events (RYSE) Program is one of those opportunities that helps turn ideas into reality.

It is designed to support communities in creating experiences for youth, experiences that go beyond the game itself. It is about participation, confidence, and building connections. It is about making sure that young people have access to sport, no matter where they live. Through this program, organizations, schools, and communities can access funding to help bring events to life. Travel, accommodations, facility rentals, and equipment can all be supported, removing some of the barriers that often stand in the way .

What stands out most is not just the funding. It is the intention.

RYSE is about creating opportunities for youth to come together. To meet others from different communities. To learn new skills. To feel part of something bigger. Events must involve more than one community, encouraging connections that reach beyond local boundaries .

In the North, these moments matter. They are not just about sport. They are about belonging. About confidence. About creating spaces where youth feel supported and inspired to try, to grow, and to stay active. And often, it starts with someone saying, “What if we try this?” If you have an idea, this is the time. Whether it is a small gathering or a larger event, the impact can be lasting. Not because everything is perfect, but because people come together to make it happen.

The application deadline is May 15, 2026.

Maybe this is the moment to take that first step. To start a conversation. To reach out to a neighbouring community. To create something that brings youth together. Because in the end, it is not just about the event. It is about what it creates.

Table Tennis North was proud to bring another TT4ALL Regional Youth Sporting Event to the Sahtu, creating opportunities for youth across the region to connect, move, and play.

Over the course of the week, we had the chance to engage with more than 100 youth, from Junior Kindergarten to high school students. Each day looked a little different, but the energy stayed the same, curiosity, excitement, and a willingness to try something new.

With the youngest participants, it started with balloons, simple activities focused on movement, coordination, and fun. Laughter filled the space as kids explored the game in their own way. As the week progressed, that same energy carried into more structured play, leading all the way to a tournament with the older students. Different stages, different approaches, but all part of the same journey.

This is what TT4ALL is about. Meeting youth where they are, creating space for them to explore, and building confidence through movement and play.

Beyond the week itself, an important part of this initiative is what comes next. Equipment has been left in the community to support continued programming, ensuring that the tables stay active and the opportunities continue long after the visit.

A big thank you to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for their support in making this event possible. Your commitment to youth and community programming across the North continues to create meaningful opportunities.

Thank you as well to NT School Sports for joining the week and supporting the initiative. Working together strengthens the impact and helps create a more connected pathway for youth across the territory.

Another great TT4ALL event in the Sahtu, and another reminder that sometimes the most meaningful moments are the simple ones, a balloon in the air, a first rally, a shared laugh across the table.

This is how it grows.

Table Tennis North is inviting Team NT athletes to express their interest in participating in the 2026 Canadian Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Championships will take place in July 2026:

• Senior Championships: July 17–19
• Junior Championships: July 19–23   

These events bring together athletes from across the country and provide a great opportunity to compete at a national level, gain experience, and represent the Northwest Territories.

The Junior Championships will include multiple age categories (U11, U13, U15, U17 optional, and U19), with athletes able to compete in up to two age groups in singles events  .

The official entry deadline for provinces and territories is May 31, 2026  , so we are asking athletes to let us know early if they are interested.

If you would like to participate, please email info@tabletennisnorth.ca by April 22nd.

This will help us plan entries, support, and logistics for Team NT.

We look forward to seeing our athletes take the next step and represent the North on the national stage.

#TableTennisNorth #WeAreAllTeamNT

The 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse brought together athletes from across the North, and Team NT’s Table Tennis athletes proudly represented their communities.

Team NT Roster

U18 Boys

• Giordano Dacorte, Yellowknife
• Cooper White, Yellowknife

U15 Girls

• Kathleen Cai, Yellowknife
• Karissa Sadowick, Yellowknife

U15 Boys

• Kaleb Sabourin, Fort Providence
• Calin Landry, Fort Providence

Coaches

• Akiko Iwase, Yellowknife
• Neilson Vandell, Fort Providence

Results

Team NT returned home with an impressive four medals, highlighting both individual and team success:

🥈 Silver Medals

• Girls U15 Singles – Kathleen Cai
• Girls U15 Doubles – Kathleen Cai & Karissa Sadowick
• Mixed U15 Doubles – Karissa Sadowick & Calin Landry

🥉 Bronze Medal

• Mixed U15 Team – Kathleen Cai & Kaleb Sabourin

Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you to our coaches, Akiko Iwase and Neilson Vandell, for their time and dedication in supporting our athletes throughout the Games. We also recognize the support of families, communities, officials, and volunteers who helped make this experience possible.

#WeAreAllTeamNT

Welcome to our Arctic Winter Games hub for Team NT Table Tennis. This is your place to follow our athletes as they take on Whitehorse 2026, representing their communities, their families, and the North with pride.

From schedules and results to live streaming and team information, everything you need to stay connected is right here. Thank you for being part of the journey, on and off the table.

#WeAreAllTeamNT

Schedule

Results

Events

Live Stream – Catch all the action! We have partnered with Home Team Network so you can stream our events live. Check back on March 8th. Broadcasting will begin with the Opening Ceremony at 7:30pm.

U18 Boys
Giordano Dacorte, Yellowknife
Cooper White, Yellowknife

U15 Girls
Kathleen Cai, Yellowknife
Karissa Sadowick, Yellowknife

U15 Boys
Kaleb Sabourin, Fort Providence
Calin Landry, Fort Providence

Coaches
Akiko Iwase, Yellowknife
Neilson Vandell, Fort Providence

2026 Arctic Winter Games
Website: https://www.awg2026.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitehorse2026
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitehorse2026/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whitehorse2026

Team NT
Website: https://www.sportnorth.com/teamnt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoTeamNT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goteamnt