Author Archives: TT NORTH

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.

The Multisport Games Committee has released the updated Participant Eligibility Policy for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, outlining who can represent Team NT across all sports and cultural events.

The Arctic Winter Games are more than a competition, they celebrate northern identity, culture, and youth empowerment. The new eligibility policy supports this mission by focusing on equity, access, and developmental opportunity for athletes, coaches, cultural performers, and support personnel from every region of the Northwest Territories.

Key updates include:

• Residency Requirement: Participants must live in the NWT for at least 6 consecutive months before the Games begin (by September 8, 2025). Students and RCMP/military families may qualify for exceptions.
• Minimum Age: All participants must be at least 12 years old by December 31, 2025.
• Background Checks: All participants aged 18 and up must submit a current Criminal Record Check. Vulnerable Sector Checks are also required for coaches and chaperones.
• Development Focus: Athletes must be in the developing stage of their sport, as defined by the Arctic Winter Games policy, and be in good standing with their sport organization.
• Coach & Chaperone Requirements: Must be 25 years or older, have completed Safe Sport and Make Ethical Decisions training, and follow the TSO’s certification requirements.
• Exemption Process: A clear process exists to request exemptions in exceptional circumstances.

This policy ensures Team NT is well-represented by athletes and coaches who reflect the values of growth, inclusion, and Northern pride.

The full policy is available through your sport organization. If you have questions or require clarification, contact your TSO or visit sportnorth.com for more information.

The Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035 is a national framework designed to guide and inspire everyone involved in sport, from community organizers to high-performance coaches, to create environments that are people-focused, values-driven, and dedicated to enhancing the health and culture of Canada.

At its heart, the Policy emphasizes that sport must always be focused on the good of the participants. It calls on all sectors to work together to ensure that sport in Canada is inclusive, ethical, and rooted in shared values.

The Vision

Working together to enable everyone to grow, excel, and achieve wellbeing through sport.

Core Contexts of Sport

• Participation – Building motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for physical activity for life.
• Performance – Supporting participants to reach their goals and ambitions at progressively higher levels of competition within a values-based, ethical framework.

Desired Outcomes

1. Canadians are Healthy – Sport contributes to physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental wellbeing.
2. Communities are Strong and Resilient – Sport strengthens culture, identity, economic vitality, and social connections.
3. Canada is an International Leader – Our nation is recognized for sport excellence, and for the health, happiness, and pride sport inspires.

Shared Values

The Canadian Sport Policy is built on values that shape every aspect of sport in Canada:

• Fun
• Inclusion and Accessibility
• Diversity
• Healthy and Safe
• Ambition
• Fairness and Integrity
• Responsibility and Accountability
• Community-Building

Measuring Success

Implementation will be guided by evidence, ongoing evaluation, and clear links between policy goals, outcomes, and objectives. This ensures that actions remain relevant and impactful over time.

The Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035 is more than a vision document, it is a commitment to ensuring that sport in Canada uplifts individuals, strengthens communities, and inspires the nation.

For more information, visit CSP.sirc.ca

Table Tennis North is now accepting applications for our 2026 Arctic Winter Games and 2027 Canada Winter Games coaching teams.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025

We are committed to working closely with our coaches in preparation for these major events. This includes:

• Supporting coaches in trials, preparation camps, and event participation
• Ensuring coaches are successful in achieving the required NCCP coach certification
• Leading and upholding Safe Sport policies in all activities

Selection Policies and Applications

2026 Arctic Winter Games – Whitehorse, Yukon (March 8–14, 2026)

• Selection Policy – 2026 Arctic Winter Games
• Application Form – 2026 Arctic Winter Games

2027 Canada Winter Games – Québec (February 26–March 15, 2027)

• Selection Policy – 2027 Canada Winter Games
• Application Form – 2027 Canada Winter Games

If you are passionate about athlete development, committed to Safe Sport, and ready to represent the Northwest Territories on the national and international stage, we encourage you to apply. Any questions? Let us know and send an e-mail to info@tabletennisnorth.ca.

Team NT Table Tennis athlete Kathleen Cai recently took part in Table Tennis Canada’s National Girls Training Camp, hosted in beautiful British Columbia at the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval.

Over four exciting days, Kathleen enjoyed a mix of fun activities and six intense Table Tennis training sessions designed to challenge and inspire young athletes from across the country. When asked about her biggest takeaway from the camp, Kathleen shared:

“I mainly worked on improving some of my skills and I learned a lot about the Richmond Oval itself, the history and a lot of cool hidden features. I also made lots of new friends!”

On her overall experience at the Girls National Training Camp, she added:

“I really enjoyed the camp. It was in the Olympic Oval, which I found super cool. There were so many awesome and supportive people, and the participants were all so nice!”

As for why she decided to participate, Kathleen explained:

“I saw it as a great opportunity for training at a higher level. I’ve participated before and I know how much fun it was.”

At just 13 years old, Kathleen is already showing strong dedication and a love for the sport. We look forward to seeing her continue her training as she prepares for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games and the 2027 Canada Winter Games. Way to go, Kathleen, we are proud of you!

Table Tennis North is excited to announce that the Territorial Trials for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games will take place in Yellowknife, January 7–11, 2026.

This single set of trials, hosted for all AWG sports in Yellowknife and the surrounding area, is a change from past years and comes as part of a financial decision by Sport North to ensure full participation for Team NT while managing reduced Games funding. In previous years, separate trials were held for team and individual sports.

The 2026 Arctic Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon, from March 8–15, 2026, giving athletes just under two months of training and preparation between trials and the Games.

Team Composition for Table Tennis
According to the AWG Technical Package, each jurisdiction may send up to:

• U15 Male (2011–2012) – 2 athletes
• U15 Female (2011–2012) – 2 athletes
• U18 Male (2008–2010) – 2 athletes
• U18 Female (2008–2010) – 2 athletes
• Coaches – 1 male and 1 female (a chaperone may be substituted if a coach from one gender is not available)

Athletes will compete in Singles, Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and the Mixed Team Event.

The Table Tennis events at the 2026 AWG will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon, as part of the multi-sport celebration that brings together athletes, coaches, officials, and communities from across the North.

More details, including registration links and schedules, will be shared in the near future. In the meantime, clubs and communities are encouraged to start preparing and identifying potential athletes for these trials.

The 2025 Canadian Table Tennis Championships, hosted at the Richmond Olympic Oval, marked more than just another competition. For Team NT, it was a celebration of courage, connection, and quiet resilience, proof that showing up matters just as much as standing on a podium.

This year, seven athletes from the Northwest Territories stood tall on the national stage. Four of them were competing at their very first Canadian Championships, bringing youthful energy, wide eyes, and a whole lot of heart. For a territory with a small population and vast distances, just making it here is a victory in itself.

But Team NT didn’t just arrive, they made an impact.

Signing postcards for athletes and volunteers.
Receiving a thank-you t-shirt from BC Table Tennis.
Making new friendships across provinces.
Scoring historic wins, like Isaiah & Kaleb defeating a provincial team from Manitoba, the first-ever U15 NT doubles team to do so.

All info about the Senior Championships:
https://tabletennisnorth.ca/senior-canadian-table-tennis-championships/

All info about the Junior Championships:
https://tabletennisnorth.ca/team-nt-in-action-at-the-2025-canadian-junior-championships/

These moments may not appear on a medal table, but they are etched in memory and meaning. They are the ripple effects that spread when young people are given the chance to compete, to be seen, and to make a mark beyond sport.

One of the standout moments came when Kathleen teamed up with Polina from Manitoba in the Women’s Doubles, two athletes from different regions, different backgrounds, united by the joy of the game. That’s what these championships are about.

The journey doesn’t end in Richmond. These athletes return home as ambassadors of possibility, bringing back stories, pride, and inspiration to their communities in the North.

They remind us all:
Showing up matters.
Being kind matters.
Representing where you come from with heart, that matters the most.

To our athletes, thank you for wearing the North with pride. You made us all proud. And to the communities behind them, your support shines through in every rally.