NEWS

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.

From July 20 to 22, Team NT athletes proudly competed at the 2025 Canadian Junior Championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval in British Columbia. Across three intense days of matches, our players gave it their all in both individual and team events. From early morning starts to late afternoon finishes, each athlete represented the Northwest Territories with passion, dedication, and resilience.

Event Highlights & Images
Check out the full gallery of Team NT at the Junior Championships!

Facebook
Instagram

Individual Matches – Team NT
Sunday, July 20, 2025

• BTU13 QC vs. NT 3:0
• BTU15 QC vs. NT 3:0
• BTU15 NB vs. NT 3:0
• BTU15 NT vs. MB 0:3
• BTU13 NT vs. NB 0:3
• BTU15 NT vs. SK 1:3

Monday, July 21, 2025

• Kaleb Sabourin vs. Zylen Li (U13B Group N) 0:3
• Zander Sabourin vs. Krrish Hari Kishore (U13B Group P) 0:3
• Calin Landry vs. Shawn Suo (U13B Group Q) 0:3
• Kathleen Cai vs. Jasmine Zheng (U17G Group E) 0:3
• Kathleen Cai vs. Amanda Zhu (U15G Group C) 0:3
• Isaiah Elleze vs. Gavin Li (U17B Group C) 0:3
• Isaiah Elleze vs. Ethan Su (U15B Group F) 0:3
• Calin Landry vs. Ryan Wong (U15B Group C) 0:3
• Kaleb Sabourin vs. Edward Xin (U15B Group G) 0:3
• Zander Sabourin vs. Pak Yu Ng (U13B Group P) 0:3
• Calin Landry vs. Jacob Zhang (U13B Group Q) 0:3

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

• Zander Sabourin vs. Krrish Hari Kishore (U13B Group P – Round 2) 0:3
• Calin Landry vs. Shawn Suo (U13B Group Q – Round 2) 0:3
• Kaleb Sabourin vs. Keegan Mah (U13B Group N – Round 2) 0:3
• Isaiah Elleze vs. Easton Gui (U17B Group C – Round 2) 0:3
• Kathleen Cai vs. Sienna Calderaro (U17G Group E – Round 2) 0:3
• Kathleen Cai vs. Wendy Liu (U15G Group C – Round 2) 0:3
• Calin Landry vs. Stanley Zhang (U15B Group C – Round 3) 0:3
• Isaiah Elleze vs. Michael JW Liang (U15B Group F – Round 3) 0:3
• Kaleb Sabourin vs. Dexter Oyewo (U15B Group G – Round 3) 0:3

Venue: Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond, BC

Draws & Results
All draws and results for the 2025 Canadian Junior Championships can be found on the TTCAN website:
https://ttcanada.ca/canadian-junior-championships/

Live Streaming
Matches from the Junior Championships were streamed live on Table Tennis Canada’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TableTennisCanadaTennisdeTable/streams

MEET OUR ATHLETES – Get to know the dedicated players, coaches, and officials representing the Northwest Territories.

Isaiah Elleze – U15 Team, U17 Singles, U15 Singles
Kaleb Sabourin – U15 Team, U15 Singles, U13 Singles
Calin Landry – U13 Team, U15 Singles, U13 Singles
Zander Sabourin – U13 Team, U13 Singles, U11 Singles
Kathleen Cai – U17 Singles, U15 Singles

Thank you to all parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, and partners who made this experience possible for our athletes. Your support helps us build the next generation of sport leaders in the North. This is what sport is about. Growth, effort, pride, and the joy of playing together. We are proud of you, Team NT

Behind every elite athlete is a community that believes in them, and sometimes, that community stretches across the country.

As Ivy Liao, a Vancouver based National Team athlete, prepares to represent Team Canada at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany (July 28 – August 8, 2025), she does so with the support of a unique and values driven partnership between Table Tennis North and the Richmond Olympic Oval.

While Ivy trains at the Oval in preparation for international competition, she’s also giving back, serving as a mentor for youth in the Northwest Territories through Table Tennis North. It’s a beautiful cycle of empowerment. Ivy receives high-performance support from one of Canada’s premier facilities, and in turn, shares her experience and encouragement with young players who may one day follow in her footsteps.

“This partnership reflects the kind of sport ecosystem we want to see in Canada,” says Thorsten Gohl, Executive Director of Table Tennis North. “It’s about lifting each other up, creating conditions for our national athletes to thrive, while making space for youth to feel seen and supported.”

Mentorship programs like this do more than inspire. They break isolation, build confidence, and connect players across regions and generations. For Ivy, it’s a chance to be a visible role model. For the youth she supports, it’s a reminder that excellence is possible, no matter where you live. The Richmond Olympic Oval plays a critical role in this story. By providing Ivy with the resources and space to train, they’re not only helping her reach her goals, they’re helping build the future of Table Tennis in Canada.

“It has been such an incredible journey to grow as an athlete with the Oval’s support, while connecting with youth in the Northwest Territories as a mentor. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received, and it means a lot to also play a role in empowering and inspiring younger athletes. I’m looking forward to competing alongside my teammates at the World University Games and will do my best to make Canada proud!” – Ivy Liao

As Ivy steps onto the global stage at the FISU Games, she carries the strength of partnership, the power of community, and the belief that when we support each other, everyone rises. Table Tennis North is proud to stand alongside Ivy, and the Richmond Olympic Oval in championing a model of sport that values both excellence and connection. Good luck, Ivy! 

Richmond Olympic Oval, British Columbia
July 18–23, 2025

The stage is set! Team Northwest Territories is ready to compete at the 2025 Senior Canadian Table Tennis Championships, hosted July 18–20 at the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia.

LIVE STREAM – Watch our Northern athletes in action live from the Richmond Olympic Oval.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY – Celebrate the moments with us, on and off the table! Use the hashtag #TeamNT and #weareallteamnt to share your support and find us on Facebook & Instagram.

SCHEDULE

RESULTS & DRAWS

Men’s Doubles – Round of 32 – RESULTS
Meech Dullaert / Suhaan Gulati (ON) vs. Tommaso Cai / Neilson Vandell (NT) 3:0

Women’s Doubles – Round of 16 – RESULTS
Kathleen Cai (NT) / Polina Sirotina (MB) vs. Ruoyan Yang / Sunny Zhang (ON) 0:3

Mixed Doubles – Round of 32 – RESULTS
Demi Yu Ting / Suhaan Gulati (ON) vs. Kathleen Cai / Tommaso Cai (NT) 3:0

Men’s Singles – Group C – RESULTS

• Jonathan S. Li (BC)
• Lucas Xie (ON)
• Babu Thiravidamani (NB)
• Neilson Vandell (NT)

Neilson Vandell (NT) vs. Jonathan S. Li (BC) 0:3 
Neilson Vandell (NT) vs. Lucas Xie (ON) 0:3
Neilson Vandell (NT) vs. Babu Thiravidamani (NB) 0:3

Women’s Singles – Group J – RESULTS

• Amy Zhao (ON)
• Jayme Li (BC)
• Coco Zhang (ON)
• Kathleen Cai (NT)

Kathleen Cai (NT) vs. Amy Zhao (ON) 0:3
Kathleen Cai (NT) vs. Jayme Li (BC) 0:3
Kathleen Cai (NT) vs. Coco Zhang (ON) 0:3

Men’s Singles Over 40 – RESULTS

• Michael Zisman (BC)
• Lawrence Zhang (AB)
• Eddy Lee (AB)
• Tommaso Cai (NT)

Tommaso Cai (NT) vs. Michael Zisman (BC) 0:3
Tommaso Cai (NT) vs. Lawrence Zhang (AB) 0:3
Tommaso Cai (NT) vs. Eddy Lee (AB) 0:3

MEET OUR ATHLETES – Get to know the dedicated players, coaches, and officials representing the Northwest Territories.

Neilson Vandell – Open Singles, Open Men Doubles
Tommaso Cai – O40 Singles, Men Doubles
Kathleen Cai – Women Singles, Women Doubles, Mixed Doubles

Isaiah Elleze – U15 Team, U17 Singles, U15 Singles
Kaleb Sabourin – U15 Team, U15 Singles, U13 Singles
Calin Landry – U13 Team, U15 Singles, U13 Singles
Zander Sabourin – U13 Team, U13 Singles, U11 Singles
Kathleen Cai – U17 Singles, U15 Singles

Let’s cheer loud and proud for Team NT as they compete with heart, hustle, and Northern spirit!

The Indigenous Sport Circle NWT (ISCNWT) is now accepting applications for its Community Development Grant Program, a funding initiative designed to support recreation, sport development, and cultural activities that involve physical activity across the Northwest Territories.

This grant helps offset costs associated with community based programs and events that promote wellness, movement, and cultural connection.

• Key Details:
  Application period (this year only): July 1 – July 31, 2025
• Regular intake windows: May 1–31 and November 1–30 (starting in 2026)
• Projects must take place in the NWT
• Multiple applications per community are welcome (for different projects)
• A letter of support from a Community Champion or organization is required
• A final report is required upon project completion
• Priority will be given to free, inclusive events that build capacity and benefit the entire community

Note, ISCNWT funding is intended to assist with costs, not fully fund a project. If you’ve previously received funding, you are welcome to apply again, but new applicants may be prioritized.

Ineligible Costs:

• Staff wages
• Per diems
• Cash prizes

This is a great opportunity for schools, sport groups, youth programs, and community leaders to access support for local movement, sport, or cultural events. Applications are only accepted during the intake window. Be sure to plan ahead!

As we mark Canada Day in the North, we do so with deep respect for the land, the people, and the stories that came long before us, and continue to guide us forward.

Table Tennis North is proud to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the Dene, Métis, and Inuit Peoples of the Northwest Territories. These lands are not just landscapes, but living spaces filled with history, teachings, and community. Today, and every day, we recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities in shaping who we are, as individuals, as a sport, and as a country.

Table Tennis is a sport of connection. In small northern communities and across the territory, it has become a way to gather, to play, to build confidence, and to share joy. Whether in school gyms, recreation centers, or on makeshift tables, we’ve seen how the paddle and ball can spark moments of laughter, focus, and belonging.

This Canada Day, we celebrate the many cultures and identities that make the North so vibrant. We also reaffirm our commitment to making Table Tennis a welcoming space for all, rooted in respect, accessibility, and inclusion. To the youth, coaches, Elders, volunteers, and community leaders who continue to shape our journey: Thank you!!! Your spirit and support are what make this movement meaningful.

From all of us at Table Tennis North, Happy Canada Day. May we continue to learn, share, and rally together, on land that holds us all.