Monthly Archives:November 2025

Congratulations to Akiko Iwase on becoming a certified Introduction to Competition Table Tennis coach! For Akiko, this is another important step in her coaching journey and in her preparation to lead Team NT at the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Québec City.

Achieving certification has involved much more than completing a single course. Akiko has worked through the required multisport training, completed the Table Tennis Introduction to Competition training, and successfully completed evaluations including Make Ethical Decisions and Safe Sport requirements.

And, like so many things in Northern sport, she did not do it alone.

Members of the Yellowknife Table Tennis community came together to support Akiko’s evaluation by providing the athletes and training environment she needed to demonstrate her coaching competencies. It is a great example of a community helping one of its coaches take the next step.

But the journey is not finished. Next up is Competition Development, the certification level required for Akiko’s role at the Canada Games. She has only a few multisport courses remaining, followed by the Competition Development Table Tennis course in October and the evaluation process. The goal is to complete everything before the November 29, 2026 Canada Games certification deadline.

One course, one evaluation and one experience at a time, Akiko continues to grow as a coach while preparing for her first Canada Games. Congratulations, Akiko, and thank you to everyone who has helped along the way!

Next stop: Competition Development, and then the Canada Games!

Table Tennis North is proud to congratulate Darren Woodland, who has been selected as the Team Northwest Territories Table Tennis Manager for the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Québec City.

Darren has become increasingly involved with Table Tennis over the past year, bringing enthusiasm, curiosity and, perhaps most importantly, a genuine love for the sport and the people who play it. For Darren, joining Team NT is another opportunity to support sport in the North, help young athletes have a great Games experience and continue growing a sport he has quickly come to love.

The 2027 Canada Winter Games will take place from February 27 to March 14, 2027, as the Games return to Québec City 60 years after the first Canada Games were held there in 1967.

Chess at 100 Kilometres per Hour

Ask Darren why he loves Table Tennis and his answer captures the sport pretty well. “Table Tennis is an awesome sport that combines speed, agility, finesse, and strategy. It’s chess at 100 kph,” he says. Then comes the important clarification. “Maybe only 40 kph when I play, but still fast.”

That enthusiasm is a big part of why Darren accepted the opportunity to become Team NT’s manager. The Canada Games give him another way to support sport in the Northwest Territories while helping grow Table Tennis. And the more time he has spent around the sport, the more he has come to appreciate just how many different people can find a place within it.

A Sport for Everyone

For Darren, one of the greatest things about Table Tennis is its accessibility. A young child barely able to see over the table can play. Parents and grandparents can play. People with disabilities can play. Someone who has not picked up a racket since high school can walk into a gym and start again.

Darren has seen all of them. At the club, he has met young children trying the sport for the first time, adults returning after years away, athletes preparing for the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Games, older adults looking to stay active, recreational players and people searching for a little competition. “It’s through my involvement with Table Tennis in the North that I get to share my love of the sport with so many different people.” That sense of belonging is something Darren hopes Team NT’s young athletes will experience too.

Making the Games Worry Free

Darren is also very clear about what his role at the Canada Games will be.

Head Coach Akiko Iwase will lead the coaching and athlete development side of the team. Darren sees his job as supporting Akiko and making everything around the athletes and coaches as smooth as possible. “As team manager I hope to make the experience worry free for our athletes and coaches. If I do my job well, the only things they’ll need to focus on are training, competing, and enjoying the Games.”

Sometimes the most important work at a major multi-sport Games happens away from the competition table. There are schedules, transportation, communication, equipment, meals, meetings and all the little things that allow athletes to simply be athletes. If nobody notices Darren doing those things in Québec City, he may have done his job perfectly.

A First Trip to Québec

The Games will also bring a few firsts for Darren. He has never been to Québec, and the opportunity to experience Québec City is something he is looking forward to. There may be some genuine Québec cuisine involved, and if the schedule allows, Darren hopes to explore some of the city’s history, including the Citadelle of Québec. Of course, Table Tennis comes first. Probably.

Success Beyond the Scoreboard

Darren would certainly enjoy seeing Team NT win some matches in Québec City. “A medal or two would be great,” he admits. But his definition of success goes much further than results. He wants to see Northwest Territories athletes compete hard, enjoy themselves and come home wanting to continue playing. “For me, seeing athletes continuing to play Table Tennis and enjoying the sport long after the Games are over would be the ultimate measure of success.”

That might be the most important part of Darren’s journey too.

Over the past year, he did not simply become more involved in a sport. He found a community, started giving back to it and is now preparing to help the next generation experience one of the biggest sporting opportunities available to young athletes in the Northwest Territories.

From club nights in the North to Team NT in Québec City. Not bad for a guy playing chess at only 40 kilometres per hour. Congratulations, Darren. We cannot wait to see you wearing Team NT colours in Québec City!

Table Tennis North is proud to congratulate Akiko Iwase, who has been selected as the Team Northwest Territories Table tennis coach for the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Québec City.

For Akiko, the Canada Games will be another step in a coaching journey that has already taken her to three Arctic Winter Games and a Canadian Table Tennis Championships. Now, she will have the opportunity to lead Northern athletes at one of the biggest stages available to young athletes in the Northwest Territories.

The 2027 Canada Winter Games will take place from February 27 to March 14, 2027, as the Games return to Québec City 60 years after the first Canada Games were held there in 1967. Table tennis is one of 22 sports and disciplines included in the 2027 program.

A Love for the Game and for Young Athletes

When asked why she accepted the opportunity to become a Canada Games coach, Akiko’s answer was simple. It starts with her love of Table Tennis and the people who play it.

She enjoys playing the sport with people of all ages, but coaching also gives her an opportunity to watch young athletes challenge themselves, do their best and enjoy the sport that has become such an important part of her own life.

That connection between performance and enjoyment is something Akiko hopes to carry with her to Québec City.

Showing Canada That the North Is Here

For Akiko, wearing Team NT colours also carries a much bigger meaning. Canada has only three territories, and she believes opportunities like the Canada Games matter because they allow Northern athletes to show the rest of the country what is happening above the 60th parallel.

Some Northwest Territories Table Tennis athletes are already competing nationally, and Akiko wants people across Canada to recognize that. Her message is a simple but important one: the North is here, and our athletes belong on the national stage.

The Canada Games provide exactly that opportunity. Thousands of athletes, coaches and managers from provinces and territories across the country come together to represent their respective teams at Canada’s largest amateur multi-sport event.

Setting the Next Goal

This will be Akiko’s first Canada Games, and she admits she does not entirely know what to expect. But she already has a goal.

She would love to see a Team NT athlete win matches. Most importantly, she wants the team to build upon what Northwest Territories athletes accomplished at previous Games and take another step forward.

For a small territory, those steps matter. Every match, every set and every opportunity to compete against some of Canada’s best young table tennis athletes helps build the sport back home.

Akiko will bring considerable multi-sport Games experience with her, but Québec City represents something new. It is another opportunity to learn, another opportunity to lead, and another opportunity to show what athletes and coaches from the Northwest Territories can do.

Congratulations, Akiko. We cannot wait to see you wearing Team NT colours in Québec City!

Creating a safe, respectful and inclusive sport environment is not the responsibility of one person. It takes athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, parents, administrators and everyone around the table working together.

At Table Tennis North, Safe Sport is part of how we deliver and grow our sport across the Northwest Territories. Our goal is simple, every participant should be able to enjoy Table Tennis in an environment where they feel safe, welcomed, respected and supported. This commitment reflects Table Tennis North’s broader values of participation, integrity, accessibility, teamwork and community partnership.

Putting Safeguards Into Practice

Safe Sport requires more than having policies written on a website. It means putting safeguards into practice throughout our programs, clubs, competitions, travel and other activities.

Our approach includes several important areas:

Screening and Background Checks
Screening requirements are based on an individual’s role, level of responsibility and access to vulnerable participants. Depending on the position, this can include Enhanced Police Information Checks, Vulnerable Sector Checks, references and disclosure forms, along with ongoing screening and renewal.

The Rule of Two
We follow the Rule of Two to the maximum extent possible. The principle is designed to ensure interactions with participants, particularly minors, are open, observable and justifiable. Athletes should not be placed in situations where they are alone one-on-one with an unrelated Person in Authority.

Code of Conduct and Ethics
Everyone involved with Table Tennis North is expected to contribute to a respectful environment. Our expectations address appropriate behaviour and prohibit maltreatment, bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Training and Education
Education helps prevent problems before they happen. Coaches, officials, volunteers and others in positions of responsibility may be expected to complete role-appropriate education, including Safe Sport training, Respect in Sport, concussion education and other relevant NCCP training.

Athlete Protection
Safe Sport also means thinking about the everyday situations surrounding sport. Communication with athletes, travel, changing areas, photography and video, physical contact and one-on-one interactions all require clear expectations and appropriate boundaries.

Reporting and Response
Participants need to know that they can speak up when something does not feel right. Concerns should be taken seriously, reviewed fairly and handled as confidentially as possible. Retaliation against someone for raising a concern is not acceptable.

Parents Should Feel Comfortable Asking Questions

Parents and guardians are important partners in Safe Sport.

We want families to ask questions such as: Who is responsible for my child? Have the adults working with athletes been appropriately screened? What is the Rule of Two? How do coaches communicate with athletes? What are the expectations during travel and overnight stays? What happens in locker rooms or changing areas? How do I report a concern? Who can my child speak with if something does not feel right?

Asking these questions is not a challenge to a coach or organization. It is part of creating a healthy sport environment.

Safe Sport Starts With All of Us

Policies, screening and training provide an important foundation, but ultimately the culture of our sport is created by the people participating in it.

We respect each other. We play fair. We speak up. We look out for one another.

Table Tennis has the ability to bring people of different ages, abilities and communities together. As we continue creating opportunities across the Northwest Territories, we also want to make sure the environments surrounding those opportunities are ones in which people feel they belong. Table Tennis North’s programming is built around creating accessible, welcoming and inclusive opportunities throughout the territory.

Safe Table Tennis. Stronger Together.

When athletes step onto the court at the Canada Winter Games, they are supported by many people behind the scenes who make the competition possible. Officials play a critical role in creating a fair, positive, and memorable experience for everyone involved.

For Shari Olsen from Fort Smith, the opportunity to serve as an umpire at the Canada Winter Games is another exciting chapter in her officiating journey. This will be Shari’s third Canada Winter Games, and she continues to bring her passion, experience, and love for sport to the table tennis community. “I love multi sport games,” Shari shared. “Not only do athletes get to compete in their sport, they can cheer for their friends’ sports as well.”

For Shari, the Canada Winter Games are special because they bring together athletes, coaches, officials, and communities from across the country. The level of competition provides a unique experience for everyone involved. “The level of competition at the Canada Games is definitely a step up from local competitions,” she said.

The Power of Sport and Sportsmanship

Over her years at the Canada Winter Games, one of Shari’s favourite parts has been seeing the positive spirit that surrounds the event. “Sportsmanship!” she said when asked about her favourite memories. “Everyone is so encouraging to their competitors.” She also enjoys watching athletes grow throughout the week. “Seeing the athletes improve over the week is amazing.”

For Shari, sport is about more than results. It is about learning, connecting with others, and creating experiences that last beyond the competition.

Continuing to Give Back Through Officiating

As an umpire, Shari enjoys that every event provides a chance to continue learning. “I think there is something to learn at every event,” she explained. She also recognizes the importance of volunteers and officials in making sport possible. “We need to have people volunteering their time or these events will not happen.”

That commitment to giving back is one of the reasons Shari continues to stay involved in Table Tennis.

Representing Fort Smith and the Northwest Territories

Coming from Fort Smith, Shari understands the importance of building opportunities in smaller communities. “It means so much,” she said about representing her community. “Fort Smith is a small community with limited access to many things. Inspiring people to get involved builds capacity.”

Shari also recognizes the work happening to grow table tennis across the Northwest Territories. “Thor has worked hard at building interest in this sport and I want to support him as much as I can.” Her involvement is another example of how volunteers and officials help create stronger sport systems across the North.

A Message to Future Officials

For anyone thinking about becoming involved in officiating, Shari’s advice is simple: “Do it!” “When you try new things, doors open,” she shared. “It is a great way to see other places and even learn more about other cultures.”

From Fort Smith to the Canada Winter Games, Shari continues to show the impact one volunteer can have on a sport community. Table Tennis North is proud to celebrate Shari’s achievement and grateful for the dedication she continues to bring to Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories.

Congratulations, Shari, and thank you for everything you do for our sport!

Table Tennis may use a small ball, but its impact reaches far beyond the table. A fast-paced, accessible sport for all ages and abilities, Table Tennis combines movement, strategy, coordination, and social connection. Every rally challenges players to think quickly, react faster, and adapt to changing situations.

Playing Table Tennis can help develop important physical and mental skills, including:

Improved focus and concentration
Tracking the ball, anticipating your opponent’s next move, and making quick decisions help sharpen attention and mental awareness.

Better coordination and reaction time
The combination of hand-eye coordination, footwork, and timing helps build movement skills that transfer to many other activities.

Strategic thinking and problem solving
Every point requires planning, adjusting, and making decisions under pressure.

onnection and confidence
Whether playing competitively or recreationally, table tennis creates opportunities to meet others, build friendships, and develop confidence.

A fun way to stay active
Table Tennis provides an opportunity to move, compete, and enjoy physical activity in a welcoming environment.

The beauty of Table Tennis is that anyone can play. Young or old, beginner or experienced athlete, the sport creates opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. Small ball. Big impact. That’s the power of Table Tennis.

Creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a coach, official, volunteer, administrator, parent, or athlete, every person involved in sport has a role to play in preventing maltreatment and helping participants thrive. 

The Coaching Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training provides free online education designed to help everyone involved in sport recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment while promoting healthy physical, psychological, social, and spiritual sport environments. The training aligns with the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). 

The training is designed for a wide range of participants, including:

• Coaches and individuals with direct athlete contact
• Officials
• Sport administrators and decision-makers
• Volunteers and individuals without direct athlete contact

The self-paced online module takes less than 90 minutes to complete, is available free of charge, works on any device, and can be accessed through The Locker. Once completed, your certification is automatically added to your NCCP transcript. 

Participants will gain knowledge in three key areas:

• Acknowledgement
• Understanding that everyone has a responsibility to keep sport safe, how power imbalances can contribute to maltreatment, and the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct.
• Awareness
• Learning to recognize different forms of maltreatment, the conditions that allow them to occur, and the warning signs that something may be wrong.
• Knowing how to respond if maltreatment is suspected and how to contribute to a culture where every participant feels safe, respected, and supported.  

Safe sport is about more than policies. It is about creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to enjoy the many benefits of sport. Learn more and complete the free Safe Sport Training at SafeSport.coach.ca. 

The journey to the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Québec City starts now!

Registration is officially open for athletes wishing to participate in the Team NT Table Tennis Canada Winter Games Trials. If you are eligible and interested in representing the Northwest Territories, we encourage you to register today.

Step 1: Complete the online registration form: https://forms.gle/Xtobj65jwB9RD36s9

Step 2: Download the Registration Confirmation form, have it signed by the athlete and, if under 18 years of age, by a parent or guardian, and email it to info@tabletennisnorth.ca to complete your registration: https://tabletennisnorth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Registration-Confirmation.pdf

The registration deadline is Friday, November 6, 2026.

We look forward to supporting athletes throughout the selection process as we prepare for the 2027 Canada Winter Games. Good luck to everyone beginning their Team NT journey!

It all comes down to this. The 2026 Territorial Table Tennis Championships are set for November 14–15, 2026 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 14 – 6:00 PM | Open Doubles
November 15 – 10:00 AM | Youth Singles (U18) – Canada Games trials tournament
November 15 – 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/dW8G8iT1HtgbGgBA8
Registration deadline: November 11, 2026

Let’s bring the passion, precision, and spirit of competition to Yellowknife and finish the season in style as we crown the 2026 Territorial Champions!

Table Tennis North is excited to begin the journey toward the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Québec City, Québec.

Representing Team NT is about much more than competing. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build lifelong friendships, and proudly represent your community and the Northwest Territories on the national stage. Team NT is built on respect, teamwork, leadership, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Who Can Apply?

We encourage athletes to participate in the Team NT selection process if they:

• Meet the Canada Winter Games age eligibility requirements.
• Meet Team NT residency requirements.
• Are members in good standing with Table Tennis North.
• Are committed to training, learning, and representing the Northwest Territories with pride and integrity.

Athlete Selection Process

Table Tennis North is committed to a fair, transparent, objective, and consistent athlete selection process.

Athletes earn points throughout the selection period using published competition results and participation in approved athlete development activities. The selection process does not include coach rankings, interviews, or discretionary scoring.

The selection process includes:

• NWT School Table Tennis Championships
• NWT Territorial Championships
• Canada Winter Games Trial Tournament #1
• Canada Winter Games Trial Tournament #2
• Athlete Development Participation

Athlete Development

Preparing for the Canada Winter Games involves much more than competition. Throughout the selection period, athletes will have opportunities to participate in development activities such as:

• Aerobic Table Tennis
• Virtual Team NT learning sessions
• Athlete mentorship
• Regional and territorial training camps
• Mental performance workshops
• Nutrition workshops
• Rules and officiating education
• Safe Sport education

Team NT Resources

Before participating in the selection process, athletes and parents are encouraged to review the resources available on our Canada Winter Games webpage.

These include:

• Team NT Table Tennis Handbook
• Team NT Table Tennis Athlete Selection Policy
• Team NT Table Tennis Participation Agreement
• Team NT Table Tennis Selection Appeals Policy

These documents outline the selection process, athlete expectations, Safe Sport commitments, travel, communication, and the responsibilities of athletes and parents throughout the Team NT program.

Preparing for Team NT

Representing Team NT means committing to more than improving your Table Tennis skills.

Athletes are expected to:

• Represent the Northwest Territories with pride.
• Support teammates and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Demonstrate respect, integrity, and good sportsmanship.
• Continue learning both on and off the table.
• Help create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone. Team NT Table Tennis Handbook.pdfPDF

Questions?

If you have questions about the Team NT athlete selection process, please contact: info@tabletennisnorth.ca

We look forward to supporting every athlete throughout the selection process and celebrating the growth, learning, and experiences that come with representing Team NT.

Your Journey Starts Here

Being selected to Team NT is not the finish line. It is the beginning of an exciting journey.

Whether your goal is to compete at the Canada Winter Games, continue to future national championships, become a coach or official, or inspire the next generation of northern athletes, Team NT is about helping you grow as both an athlete and a person.

We cannot wait to see where your journey takes you. Good luck to everyone working toward Team NT for the 2027 Canada Winter Games!