Author Archives: TT NORTH

First of all a big thank you to Elaine and “Up Here” magazine in featuring us in their December issue. A wonderful article to support our vision to promote and develop an active, healthy and fun environment with the sport of Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories.

One huge supporter of Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories is Principal of Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, Lois Phillip. “It’s about creating opportunities and creating a safe space,” says Lois. “A safe space where kids can be kids.” And that is what we are trying to do with Fort Providence, and also bring our multi seasonal sport into other communities, creating those same opportunities and fun, safe spaces. 

Once we reach the communities, it is about keeping involved. One hopes by being constant, being the role models that we can be, it will make a difference in their lives.  “I must say, I’m a dreamer and crazy sometimes,” Gohl says. “I said when I came here, in a year’s time, I want to do 20 communities.” He made his move to Fort Providence in September 2015, and while 20 may have been a lofty goal, he’s already hit 11.

We will definitely hit 20 communities by the end of our 2 year anniversary as a Territorial Sport Organization, but more important, we want to go back to those communities as much as we can, support them how ever possible, and see the sport grow in participation, with increased health and focus with time for all ages. 

HERE is the full article. If you want, pick up a hard copy and/or order the magazine on UP HERE’s website.

Story by Elaine Anselmi
Photography by Thorsten Gohl

Table Tennis North visited the Yellowknife Table Tennis Club this Sunday, November 20th 2016. It was great to see so many players come out and having fun playing Table Tennis.

Contact: (867) 444-8531 (Vincent – text for further information)

There is limited spaces, so please contact us for more information and we can get you in touch with the right person.

Arctic Winter Games Silver Medalist Tamara Jovic stopped by 101.1 The Moose FM, to give ‘The Wheel’ a few pointers.

Have a look at the fun video inside Moose FM’s board room.

Tamara Jovic was very excited about this, “That was fun! My first ever time in a radio station and I was even able to choose a song afterwards. Plus, it will be a great weekend of Table Tennis ahead of me!”

Tamara playing with Jesse on the Board Meeting table. FUN TIMES!!!

Tamara inside the studio, getting ready for her interview.

Weledeh Catholic School and Table Tennis North hosted the 2016 NWT School Table Tennis Championships in Yellowknife on Sat. November 26th. 

The idea was very simple, play as many matches as possible. Therefore, organizers decided to create 2 big Round Robins,  mixed boys and girls, grades 6 and 7, one group, and grades 8 to 12, the other. The winners of each grade were decided by the overall ranking of their group. 

Undefeated, in not just their own grade, but the entire tournament, were Cole Clinton (6, 7) and Brian Liang (8-12) The youngest athlete, Zakary Mathieson (Grade 2) was undefeated, even among the Grade 6 players. That made him the gold medalist! 

Here are the results by Grades.

Grade 6 Boys

Zachary Mathison – Weledeh
Lennox Mutford – William Mac Donald
Adam Clinton – Allain St-Cyr

Grade 6 Girls

Natasha Zoe – Weledeh

Grade 7 Boys

Cole Clinton – Allain St-Cyr
Darius Moosenose – Weledeh

Grade 7 Girls

Amy Bestina – Weledeh
Therese Coyen – Weledeh
Jaylin Hamilton – Weledeh

Grade 8 Girls

India Edwards-Lowen – St. Patrick

Grade 9 Boys

Louis Phillipe Cloutier – Allain St-Cyr

Grade 9 Girls

Aurora Frasor – St. Patrick

Grade 10 Boys 

Brian Liang – Sir John Franklin
Anthony Wood – Allain St-Cyr

Grade 10 Girls

Tamara Jovic – Sir John Franklin

Grade 12 Boys 

Adrian Litao – St. Patrick
Sebastian Toner – St. Patrick
Justin Uson – St. Patrick

Grade 12 Girls

Katrina Deneron – Thomas Simpson

 Ava was named the “Fair Play Award Winner” for her positive attitude and encouragement for her team mates and others, as well as, finding the time to umpire matches. Katrina and Ava also received the “Most Improved Players award, showing up early for practice, enthusiastically giving their best. 

Most improved player award

Katrina Deneron – Thomas Simpson
Natasha Zoe – Weledeh

Fair Play Award

Ava Erasmus – Thomas Simpson

Jeremy Kielstra, President of Table Tennis North, was excited about the tournament. “Table Tennis North has had a successful few weeks running programming for youth here over the last couple of weeks. Things culminated with a tournament on Saturday. I think this was a great event for the sport and will encourage involvement in Table Tennis moving forward. Thank you to Thor for organizing and executing the events over the past weeks in Yellowknife. Thanks also to Ulli Nolting for helping out wherever needed.”

“It has been an amazing event, everything worked out perfectly” says Executive Director, Thor about the workshops and tournament this past weekend. He adds, “The kids got to play a lot of matches, even the parents used the opportunity to play on the tables that were available. The kids actually improved a lot in just that one day. Table Tennis rocks!!!”

We are looking forward to the 2017 Territorial Championships hosted in Fort Providence from January 27th to 29th 2017. See you there!?

Weledeh Catholic School in Yellowknife was the host of the 2016 Yellowknife Table Tennis Open. A beautiful gym, set up with 8 professional Table Tennis tables and 11 excited players to participant in the tournament.

“We only had 6 medals, but really, EVERYONE was a WINNER”, a very nice comment by Table Tennis North Executive Director Thor Gohl. With a big smile on his face he continuous “This was our first ever Table Tennis tournament in Yellowknife as a Territorial Sport Organization. Loosing or winning, everyone had fun. Actually winning or almost winning is a better way to describe it.”

Men’s Open 

1. Davor
2. Denis
3. Jeremy Kielstra

Women’s Open

1. Akiko Iwase
2. Shirley Zhang
3. Slavica Jovic

Thank you so very much for everyone coming out for a fun evening of Table Tennis and supporting our Territorial Organization!

It was a very exciting time for Table Tennis North when Doug Rentmeister, Executive Director of Sport North, came for a visit to Sir John High School. He observed the clinic that coach Thor was hosting with the Sir John Sport Academy.

Table Tennis is the 30th Territorial Sport Organization and newest member under the Sport North Umbrella. Now 16 months old, Table Tennis North has reached 11 communities, plus played and workshoped with over 2,500 children in the Northwest Territories. This month of November has included  5 schools in  Yellowknife. 

“Sport North is the foundation of our success. They welcomed us into their family just over a year ago, giving us the possibility as a Territorial Sport Organization to expand and grow. It is very important to come together and make the North stronger, we work and succeed together with one common goal.”

… the new Table Tennis North Logo!

Our logo was designed in November 2016, symbolically it reflects and joins our Sport and our Environment; Table Tennis North.

“It took us a little while to figure it all out, but I think it looks great. Modern, energetic, artistic and everything we wanted in a logo that reflects the North and the Sport” says Executive Director Thorsten. He continues, “Our Athletes will wear the logo proudly as they can identify with it, their sport and their home. A logo has a lot of power in bringing people together! I am excited about our future!!!”

The conception of the lines represent two aspects, an abstract version of the Northern Lights and the idea of the movement of the game, the ball, the paddle, the people and the spirit.

The blue colours reflect the lakes, the Mackenzie River and the Arctic Ocean.

The green is also for the beauty of the land of the Northwest Territories, as well as, the flowing Northern Lights dancing through the skies.

The Maple leaf reflects Canada, Table Tennis North in the Northern frontier of Canada, the True North Strong and Free.

Coaches in the Community Sport stream typically become involved on a voluntary (and often short-term) basis because their children participate in a sport. They tend to work with participants of all ages who are new to the sport.

Pathway for the Community Coach in Table Tennis

Here is some more information on the Table Tennis Canada Website about Coaching in Canada: http://ttcan.ca/en/home/sty/337/760/coach-education.aspx

The course will be talking about:

Table Tennis Technique
Simple Games to play
General Table Tennis skills

Where?

Weledeh Catholic Church
5023 46 St, Yellowknife, NT X1A 1L3

When?

November 12th 2016
9am to 12pm

Cost?

$50

What to bring?

Indoor shoes
Water bottle

Interested? Send us an e-mail to [email protected]

Table Tennis North is very excited to announce that our very own Thor Gohl will be the Sport Chairperson for Table Tennis at the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games.

“Thorsten brings an energy and enthusiasm to all of his work,” states Todd Shafer, General Manager 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games. “We look forward to having him join our team and help us create a truly memorable experience for all the Games participants.”

Greg Rowe, President 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games says “Thor’s colorful personality and passion for Table Tennis is contagious, he has inspired athletes from across the NWT to want to join this sport, and we are excited to have him directly involved with the 2018 Games.” 

You can definitely hear the excitement in Thor’s voice “This is a wonderful opportunity and I am sure that we will have a great Table Tennis event at the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games in Fort Smith.” Thor brings not just the experience of 3 years in the Northwest Territories with him, but also being part of major National and International Table Tennis events. “Yes, I have seen a lot of major Table Tennis events in the World, including the 2016 Arctic Winter Games. This will help me to make this the best event yet! Our legacy for the 2018 Games has already started with clinics in the smaller communities and the upcoming 2016 Territorial School Championships in Yellowknife. Maybe we can even bring a big event in the Territories prior the the Arctic Winter Games.”

Everything seems to be possible and we are looking forward to it. Congratulations Almighty Thor!