• info@tabletennisnorth.ca

NEWS

Free Table Tennis Community Coaching Course in Fort Smith

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Fort Smith, NT – Table Tennis North is excited to host a free Community Coaching Course on Saturday, November 23rd from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at PWK High School.

This introductory course is part of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and is perfect for anyone looking to get involved in coaching table tennis at the community level. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, volunteer, or athlete ready to give back, this course offers a great opportunity to learn how to lead fun, inclusive, and safe sessions.

No experience necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Upon completion, participants will receive NCCP recognition and be better prepared to support youth programming across the Northwest Territories.

To register click HERE or learn more, contact Table Tennis North or simply show up on the day. Let’s grow the game together!

Sport North is Looking for Mission Staff for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games

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Application Deadline: November 17, 2025

The Arctic Winter Games are a powerful celebration of culture, sport, and community across the circumpolar North. Taking place in Whitehorse, Yukon in 2026, this event brings together athletes from across the Northwest Territories and beyond in a unique show of talent, pride, and connection.

Sport North is looking for dedicated volunteer Mission Staff to support Team NT (Northwest Territories) on this journey. Mission Staff are the behind-the-scenes leaders who help make the Games run smoothly. From logistics to team support, they are the primary contacts for sports leading up to, during, and after the Games.

What You Need to Know:
• Deadline to apply: November 17, 2025
• Volunteer role: Travel, accommodations, and meals are provided
• Pre-Games meetings: Held over lunch hours on Dec 11, Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19, and Mar 3
• Application includes: Two reference letters and employer leave approval

Apply here & learn more: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AWGMissionstaff

Team NT is more than athletes and coaches, it’s the community behind them. If you’re ready to support Northern youth, culture, and sport, this is your opportunity to step forward. #weareallteamnt

Partners Through All the Seasons: Table Tennis North and Aurora Ford Drive Sport Forward

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A familiar sight on northern roads, the Table Tennis North truck, made possible through our valued partnership with Aurora Ford, has become an essential part of our movement, building work across the Northwest Territories.

Captured in a new video that follows the truck through all four seasons, this vehicle tells a powerful story of resilience, community, and the journey of sport. From icy crossings to sunny highways, the Table Tennis North truck has delivered equipment, events, and opportunities to 29 communities and counting.

Whether it’s helping set up a school program, preparing for the Territorial Championships, or simply sparking joy in a youth picking up a paddle for the first time, this truck has become a symbol of connection, not just between communities, but between values.

Our partnership with Aurora Ford is rooted in shared purpose: believing in youth, in access, and in what’s possible when we support each other. This isn’t just sponsorship. It’s a relationship built on trust, action, and showing up, in every season.

We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Aurora Ford and for the shared vision that keeps us moving forward.

Together, we’re creating movement, one community, one story, one drive at a time.

Get Girl Coached: Empowering Girls Through Table Tennis and Physical Literacy

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At Table Tennis North, we believe every girl belongs in sport.

That’s why we’re proud to support the new national Get Girl Coached campaign, led by Canadian Women & Sport. This initiative calls on coaches, sport leaders, and decision makers across the country to listen to girls, learn from them, and design programs where they can truly thrive.

In the North, we know that participation in sport builds confidence, connection, and community. But we also know that too many girls drop out of sport before they reach their full potential. With the right support, the right coaches, and the right opportunities, we can change that.

What We’re Doing

Table Tennis North continues to embed physical literacy into everything we do, with a strong focus on:
• Motivation and fun first programs
• Confidence-building through inclusive competition
• Competence in movement and technical skills
• Knowledge through coach mentorship and leadership

We’ve also launched initiatives like:
• Girls Coaching Girls: Mentorship and peer-led training
• Women in Table Tennis Campaign (with TTCAN)
• Leadership opportunities at events like the Arctic Winter Games

Our Challenge to the Table Tennis Community

If you coach, listen to the girls on your team
If you lead a club, create safe, inclusive spaces
If you’re a parent or teacher, encourage participation
If you’re a girl in sport, your voice matters.

Together, let’s build a system that keeps girls playing, and lets them lead the way.

Learn more: www.keepgirlsplaying.ca

Beyond the Rally: Table Tennis and the Path to Reconciliation

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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.

Concussion Awareness Week – Let’s Talk About It

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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.

Celebrating Our Coaches – National Coaches Week 2025

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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.

Team NT – New Eligibility Policy Announced for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games

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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.

Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035: A Shared Vision for Sport in Canada

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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

Join Our Coaching Team for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games and 2027 Canada Winter Games

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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)

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

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.

Are you interested in Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories?