September marked a significant milestone for Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories, as the region focused on enhancing its officiating capabilities. The recent club umpire course and territorial referee clinic saw an impressive turnout, demonstrating the community’s commitment to the sport.
Since 2022, the growth in officiating has been remarkable, with the addition of 16 new club umpires, 2 Territorial umpires, and 2 Territorial referees in training. This influx of officials is a testament to the increasing popularity of table tennis in the area and the dedication of those involved in promoting the sport.
The upcoming season promises to be filled with opportunities for training and development, with numerous tournaments on the horizon. Notably, the Canadian Championships in 2025, set to take place in Richmond, British Columbia, will serve as a key event for our newly trained officials to gain valuable experience.
Looking ahead, there are ambitious plans to further elevate the officiating standards in the Northwest Territories. The goal is to prepare officials for prestigious events such as the 2026 Arctic Winter Games and the 2027 Canada Winter Games, ensuring that the region is well-represented on the national stage.
Joseph Fisher, the facilitator for all the events this September, shared his enthusiasm for the progress made: “The flight from Halifax to Yellowknife was very smooth. On this occasion, my wife travelled with me and would act as a support for the seminar. All hotels in Yellowknife were booked solid and there was “No room at the Inn”. As always Thorsten Gohl had a plan “B”. We would travel the three hours to Fort Providence. A three-hour change in the time zone was not a problem.
During our time in Fort Providence, we were treated like royalty. After a hard day of lessons for the Referee Seminar, we would go to an evening meal with Thorsten who was joined by some friends. We toured along many roads and were delighted to view and take pictures of bison. They were prolific. We saw about 40 at different times, some in small herds and some on their own. We were welcomed with open arms which made us feel like home. The candidates for the referee program passed the exam with flying colors. They were on the pathway to become a certified referee and agreed to submit prepared draws before a tournament to the referee chair of TTCAN.
During one of the lunch hours, I visited the local school and met Principal Terry Sapp. I offered to conduct a “geometry” class for the junior high students. My philosophy, just like in table tennis instruction for officials is “hands-on” and total engagement of the participants. My past profession as a curriculum consultant in mathematics prepared me for such activity.
We travelled to Yellowknife to conduct an umpire seminar for table tennis enthusiasts in and around Yellowknife. They arrived for the seminar and engaged in problem solving, discussion, and meaningful activities. All the candidates were very successful with the exam. Once again, a 100% pass rate.
The future looks bright for the North. The training of officials will stimulate some other Provinces/Territories to engage others at the grassroots level. The North is an example of how to do it. They already have set goals for the future which includes attendance at the Artic Winter Games, the Canada Games 2027, Nationals (Vancouver 2025) and their own events like the school championships.
The North has taken a step forward ahead of many other regions in the country. Congratulations to all.”
As we move forward, the commitment to training and supporting our officials will remain a top priority. With a strong foundation being built, the Northwest Territories is poised to make a significant impact in the world of table tennis.
We look forward to a bright future in the Northwest Territories, where the love for table tennis continues to flourish! And a huge thank you to the Mackenzie Recreation for their continuous support in making events like this happen.
