NEWS

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!

Fort Providence, October 29th 2016 – Arctic Winter Games Athlete Mikaela Vandell is becoming a new member of the Board of Directors at Table Tennis North. The 2014 and 2016 Arctic Winter Games Athletes was voted on the Board on October 21st 2016 as a Member at Large.

The new President of the Board will be Jeremy Kielstra from Yellowknife, while Marny Twigge from Hay River will take on the Vice-President role.

“We are excited to see the growth of table tennis in the north over the past year and we are eager to expand the reach of the sport into more communities in the North. In addition, we are also very pleased to announce that Mikaela Vandell has joined our board of directors. She has been a positive role model for her peers and a younger up and coming generation of table tennis players. She has also been volunteering as a coach for younger players for the past several months in Fort Providence.” says the newly voted President of the Association, Jeremy Kielstra.

Mikaela Vandell was definitely excited about it as she smiles along “I will become a Coach for the AWG 2018 here in the Northwest Territories. It has been a long journey for me and I am very happy where I am today.”

Congratulations Mikaela, we are very proud of you!

Weledeh School and Table Tennis North are excited to host the 2016 Territorial Table Tennis School Championships from November 25-27th 2016. It will be a combination of clinic and tournament so the students can see how a Table Tennis tournament is run and experience it. This will be our second Territorial School Championships in just one year of being a Territorial Sports Organization.

Early in Spring this year, all physical education teachers in Yellowknife came together to plan Table Tennis clinics in their schools. To finish those clinics they wanted to host a tournament and that is how it all came together.

“We are looking forward to this event. There is quite a few kids interested in Table Tennis, so I am sure that we will have a good turn out for this event.” says Ulli Nolting, Phys. Ed. Teacher at Weledeh School.

Also very excited about this is Marny Twigge, new elected Vice-President of Table Tennis North “We see that the schools are definitely loving the sport of Table Tennis and I am sure that this will be a great event with many participants.”

You can find more information right here on our website: https://tabletennisnorth.ca/2016-territorial-school-championships/

We are looking forward to seeing you all at Weledeh School on November 25th 2016!

Deh Gah School in Fort Providence was hosting their first ever Table Tennis Championships. Tournament Director Mikaela Vandell hosted over 50 kids from Junior to Senior High School to find a winner in the 2 days afternoon competition.

Senior High – 1. Place Willie Aqulaq 2. Place Dustin Bonnetrouge 3. Place Wyatt Causa

Junior High – 1. Place Evan Nadly 2. Place Luke Bonnetrouge 3. Place Isaac Bonnetrouge

After 3 weeks of Table Tennis Clinics at Deh Gah School and a daily Table Tennis Club, it was a great way to finish the physical education classes with a tournament.

Images from the tournament

Tournament Director Mikaela Vandell with the Winners

Deh Gah School will be hosting the 2016 AGM for Table Tennis North on October 21th at 6pm. It was scheduled for the 14th. If you cannot make it or you have any question, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the subject title AGM. Thank you!

Agenda

• Call to Order by the chair
• Approval of Agenda
  
• President’s Report
  
• Treasurer’s Report
  
• Acceptance of Financial Statements
  
• Executive Directors Report 
• Membership 
• Nominations & Elections
• New Business
  
• Call to Adjourn

October 07th 2016, Fort Providence – 2014 AWG Table Tennis Athlete Fiona Huang and 2016 AWG Table Tennis Athlete Jacqueline Larocque competed at the 2016 NWT Cross Country Run in Fort Providence. Fiona roled her ankle during the race and could not compete at her best, like she did in 2015 when she won the gold medal. Jacqueline on the other hand was in good form, with a big smile on her face and ended up with a Silver Medal in her hands.

We had some questions for both Athletes.

How do you feel? Was it fun?

Jacqueline: It felt awesome I had a lot of fun. I wish I could do it again next year I feel like I could have put in a better time at the end. But I feel as I did great, my first year since grade 7 and I got second. I had only trained for about 2-3 days a week for about 2 weeks. So I am pretty proud of my progress that run.

Fiona: I actually didn’t do that good because I rolled my ankle . 

Was it as hard running Cross Country than it was playing Table Tennis in Greenland?

Jacqueline: No there is no multitasking involved. I didn’t have to focus on anything else but my legs and positive mind to keep going. Where as table tennis there is a bit more to be aware of; the other opponent and how they will play, your body and which way you will go, and trying to keep up hope for the rest of the match

What is harder, running a Cross Country Run or playing Table Tennis at the Arctic Winter Games?

Fiona: Hmmm table tennis I think. hHha running is easier for me!

Do you still play table tennis from time to time?

Jacqueline: Every so often. Not as much as I did for training for the Arctic Winter Games. But it’s fun to just do a game here and there with some friends.

Fiona: Yes I did play this year haha ! Just at lunch and little fun games with my schoolmates. Depends on the match, but sometimes I “kicked some butt”.

What else are you up too lately?

Jacqueline: I go to the gym or I run. Lately I have been doing quite a bit of Volleyball. Last year of high school I better make it count by motivation and progress on my athleticism. School, work, and my health is my main thing right now.

Fiona: Just busy with school.