The spirit of camaraderie and inspiration knows no bounds as Canadian National Team athlete Ivy Liao shares a heartfelt message with athletes gearing up for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games. Despite being miles away in Busan at the World Team Table Tennis Championships, Ivy Liao’s words of encouragement and support resonate with the athletes preparing to represent their regions at the upcoming games. As a member of the Canadian National Team, Ivy Liao embodies the spirit of excellence and determination, serving as a role model for aspiring athletes and a source of inspiration for all.

As athletes from across the Northwest Territories prepare to showcase their skills and sportsmanship at the Arctic Winter Games, Ivy’s message serves as a beacon of motivation and encouragement. The 2024 Arctic Winter Games are not just a platform for competition but also a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and the unwavering spirit of athletes from diverse backgrounds.

As we look forward to the 2024 Arctic Winter Games, let us carry Ivy’s message in our hearts and minds, drawing inspiration from her words and embodying the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and excellence in all our endeavours.

TeamSpirit #ArcticWinterGames2024 #TableTennisCanada #TeamCanada #Inspiration

We are thrilled to welcome back esteemed coach Steve Rowe, who played a pivotal role in the success of Team NT during the 2018 and 2020 Arctic Winter Games. Steve’s return marks an exciting development as he joins the team in preparing for the upcoming 2024 Arctic Winter Games. 

Steve will lend his expertise and experience to assist in the preparation of Team NT, ensuring they are ready to compete at their best in the highly anticipated Arctic Winter Games. His guidance and mentorship will be invaluable in helping the athletes reach their full potential and showcase their skills on the international stage.

In addition to his involvement with Team NT, he will also contribute to the development of Table Tennis Festivals and the Community Sport for All Initiative across all regions of the Northwest Territories. These initiatives aim to promote inclusivity, active participation, and community engagement in sports throughout the territory.

Recognizing the importance of virtual programs in the current landscape, Steve will play a key role in building a virtual training program for NWT athletes. This program will provide athletes with the necessary resources and support to continue their training and development, even in the absence of in-person events and competitions.

Furthermore, he will actively support the Freestyle Ping Pong Challenge, an exciting event that encourages creativity and innovation in table tennis. This unique challenge pushes the boundaries of traditional table tennis and showcases the versatility and skill of the athletes. His involvement extends beyond the competitive realm as he contributes to building the School Program and Coach Development initiatives. By sharing his knowledge and expertise with coaches and educators, he aims to enhance the overall sporting experience for young athletes in the Northwest Territories.

Expressing his excitement about returning to the NWT, Steve stated, “I am thrilled to be back in the Northwest Territories and to have the opportunity to work with such talented athletes and dedicated coaches. Together, we will strive for excellence and create a positive impact in the sporting community.”

The NWT eagerly anticipates the incredible developments that will unfold under Steve Rowe’s guidance and expertise. With his return, the stage is set for a remarkable year of sporting achievements and community engagement.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress and accomplishments of Team NT and the exciting initiatives led by Steve Rowe. The Northwest Territories is poised to witness extraordinary feats in the world of sports.

As the excitement builds for the upcoming 2024 Arctic Winter Games, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the exceptional athletes who have qualified to represent Team Northwest Territories. The recently concluded trial event, held from November 23-26, 2023, showcased an abundance of talent and determination. With great pride, we announce the names of the qualified athletes who will proudly represent our region in Alaska.

The trial event held in November was a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by our athletes. They showcased their skills, resilience, and unwavering commitment to their respective sports. The level of competition was intense, and it was truly inspiring to witness the incredible performances of our athletes.

We are thrilled to announce the names of the talented athletes who have earned their place on Team Northwest Territories for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

Juniors

Nihilesh Gohil, Yellowknife
Vital MacKeinzo, Fort Good Hope
Ava Pokiak, Hay River

Juvenille

Dallas Lafferty, Fort Good Hope
Carter Sadowick, Fort Providence
Kathleen Cai, Yellowknife
Karissa Sadowick, Fort Providence

With the qualified athletes ready to embark on their journey to Alaska, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Arctic Winter Games. This prestigious event will not only provide a platform for our athletes to showcase their abilities but also foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among participants from various regions.

As we celebrate the success of our qualified athletes, we extend our warmest congratulations to each of them. Their hard work, determination, and unwavering commitment have earned them a place on Team Northwest Territories for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games. We wish them the best of luck as they prepare to represent our region with pride and passion. Let us rally behind our athletes and show them our unwavering support as they embark on this incredible journey to Alaska.

GO Team NT GO!!!

updated October 25, 2023

The highly anticipated 2024 Arctic Winter Games are scheduled to take place from March 10th to March 16th, 2024. This grand event will be hosted in the breathtaking Matanuska-Susitna Valley, also known as the Mat-Su Valley, located in Southcentral Alaska.

#AWG2024 website: https://www.awg2024.org

The Arctic Winter Games (AWG) hold the prestigious title of being the world’s largest circumpolar multi-sport and cultural extravaganza. It serves as a remarkable platform for athletes from various regions of the Arctic to come together and showcase their skills, while fostering a spirit of camaraderie, cultural exchange, and cooperation. The AWG features a diverse range of athletic competitions, including popular international sports as well as traditional Arctic Sports and Dene Games, adding a unique and captivating element to the event.

Location: Territorial Training Centre, Snowshoe Centre, Fort Providence
Date: November 22-26, 2023

Team NT Handbook – Information about the Team NT trials, representing the Northwest Territories and general rules.

Registration – Don’t forget to register for the trails before October 30th, 2023. That includes chaperones, athletes and coaches/managers that will participate in the November and December trials.

Mission Staff – Would you like to become a Mission Staff for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games? Read more about how to get involved and send your application in.

Team NT Selection Policies – Don’t know how to be selected for Team NT in your sport? Here are all the policies for the individual sports that will participate in the 2024 Arctic Winter Games.

Table Tennis Trials Handbook

Age categories

U 15: Males and Females 14 years of age and under as of December 31, 2023
Year of birth: 2009 or later
2 spots for each male and female

U 18: Males and Females 17 years of age or under as of December 31, 2023
Year of birth: 2006 or later
2 spots for each male and female

The 2024 Arctic Winter Games will be hosted in Alaska, United States. Participants must have a valid passport. Here is some more information that can help you.

Here is an enriching and comprehensive guide about Passports: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/passport.html

Application form for a new passport: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/forms.html

Can you renew your passport? Find out here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/renew-adult-passport.html

Here are the links to service centres in, or close to, your community.

Yellowknife
Fort Simpson
Fort Smith
Hay River
Inuvik

If you are outside the Territories due to the wildfire evacuation, check out the list of offices located in your area and select the Province of Territory from the list below: https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/tbsc-fsco/sc-hme.jsp

Please be advised that the following dates have been selected for the 2024 AWG Territorial Trials:

Team Sports – Nov. 22-26, 2023
Individual Sports – Dec. 13-17, 2023

Please make sure that your passport is up to date. At the time of the Territorial Trial registration, participants will need to provide proof of a valid passport, or that they have submitted a passport application (renewal or new application) and received a processing number from the Government of Canada.  For more information on Passports please follow this link https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html

The registration deadline for Territorial Trials will be October 2, 2023.

The creation of the song ‘We Stand Tall’ came from the inspiration of the perseverance, hard work, and team support of Hockey and Table Tennis athletes. We stand together for “We Stand Tall” and share the song throughout the upcoming Canada Winter Games.

Song was created by Jaycee Leon

Lyrics

That icy chill is rolling in
The Dehcho River’s running deep
And we blazed the trail that we’re walkin’
It’s time to meet our destiny

Scaling over the Mackenzie Mountains
The Northern Lights guide the way
Win or lose, we’re all champions
Nobody’s gonna put out our flame

‘Cause we stand tall
Breaking down every wall
Yeah, we stand tall
NWT through it all
We stand tall
Reach out and take your chance
Hold your Territory’s pride within your hands
And stand up tall

Just look at how far we’ve come
Left all our doubts in the past
We’ve worked hard, but still had fun
Gotta make every moment last

Each second is ours for the taking
Each challenge an new open door
Can you feel the Arctic shaking?
It’s us waiting to see what’s in store

As we stand tall
Breaking down every wall
Yeah, we stand tall
NWT through it all
We stand tall
Reach out and take your chance
Hold your Territory’s pride within your hands
And stand up tall
Stand up tall

You heard the call, you dove right in
The Arctic Ocean guided you here
So trust yourselves and look within
You’ll see the way is crystal clear

As we all now come together
Build each other up every day
The only way is up, it only gets better
So let’s rise to the trials that we face

As we stand tall
Breaking down every wall
Yeah, we stand tall
NWT through it all
We stand tall
Reach out and take your chance
Hold your Territory’s pride within your hands
And stand up tall
Stand up tall

We recognize and celebrate the unique opportunities that sport provides in uniting people to a common goal. We embrace the essential value of belonging as essential for individual success, team success and sport excellence.

Using education and promotions as tools to promote, inspire and highlight the very important value that there is a place for you in sports. Table Tennis North strives to empower all members and volunteers (from the home to competition arena and everything and everyone in between) to understand and embrace the language of inclusion. Through partnership in communities and with Table Tennis North, we want to ensure the safety and inclusion of all in sports – including 2SLGBTQI athletes, coaches and fans.

Campaign Promotion

1. Athlete Ambassadors / Influencers
   a) Education – Athletes, coaches and parents are invited to a short presentation on pronouns and the ASK ME MY PRONOUNS pins. Athletes are encouraged to wear and share their pins.
   b) Athletes take over Social Media- Table Tennis North supports and encourages athletes to share the games experience through their own eyes.
2. Pride Day at the Games – Wednesdays.
   a) Arctic Winter Games | Feb 1
   b) Canada Games | Feb 22
   c) Join us as athletes celebrate PRIDE. Watch as social media gets taken over
3. Email Signatures
   Example: THORSTEN GOHL, Executive Director (he/him/il/lui)
   c: (867) 373-2101 | e: [email protected] | w: http://www.tabletennisnorth.ca
4. Meeting Etiquette
   a) Inclusive Introductions
   b) Land Acknowledgment

Table Tennis North strives to create a diverse, inclusive community in which everyone feels safe, respected and valued—regardless of any aspect of one’s identity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, ability or age.

Central to our commitment is a sustained effort to increase participation from historically underrepresented groups.

weareallteamnt #everychildmatters #pride

We are proud of our athletes and coaches that will wear the colours of Team NT at the 2023 Wood Buffalo Arctic Winter Games. They represent the Northwest Territories with their hearts, minds and bodies. For each of them a support system is in place, wonderful humans that show up, share their passion, guide them, listen to them, mentor them, waking them up in the morning and so much more. We want to take the time and highlight everyone that contributes to Team NT. 

Please use the hashtag #weareallteamnt and highlight those that make a difference in your life. Tag them in the post, take a picture, create a video and say “We are all Team NT.” Share it with your Territorial Sport Organization and ask them to post it, share it and comment on it. It is all about coming together, supporting each other and making a difference in the North. 

We are all Team NT!!!

Aboriginal Sport Circle @AboriginalSportCircleNWT
Badminton NT @badmintonnwt
Basketball NWT @bnwt.ca
Cross Country NWT @crosscountrynwt
NWT Curling @nwtcurling
Skate NWT @skateabnwtnun
Hockey NWT @hockeynwt
NWT Judo @nwtjudo
NWT Snowboard @NWTSnowboard
NWT Soccer @NWTSoccerAssociation
NWT Softball @nwtsoftball
Speed Skating NWT @speedskatingnwt
NWT Squash @NWTSquash
Table Tennis North @analyst
Volleyball NT @VolleyballNTAssociation

The 2023 Arctic Winter Games will be hosted in the Wood Buffalo region of Alberta. 2,000 athletes from the circumpolar world will come together to celebrate sport and culture from January 28 until February 5, 2023. 

As the 2022 games were canceled due to COVID-19, Table Tennis Yukon decided to gift their equipment that was not used for the games to the host society for this years event. Those included 2 professional tables, umpire tables and balls. A great initiative to make a leaving legacy for the communities of Northern Alberta. 

Kevin Murphy, President Table Tennis Yukon is excited about this “We benefited greatly with the new equipment we got for the 2020 games and unfortunately we never got to use it for the Whitehorse games. With that equipment we were in great shape at our club level. When Brian Stuart, Table Tennis Yukon’s chief official & I found out the 2023 games needed some equipment, we decided to help out. Pay it forward, if you will, the legacy for our sport”.

Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories also stepped up and provided additional equipment to the host society for a successful event. Including 4 tables, barriers, umpire tables and balls. There will be a total of 6 out of the 8 circumpolar nations participating in Table Tennis and they will see brand new equipment to participate on

Executive Director for Table Tennis North (NWT), Thorsten Gohl shares his reasoning about this great initiative “We absolutely loved what the Yukon did and wanted to be part of it. We are all in this together and together we are stronger. An absolute no brainer to step up and support our sport.”

We are looking forward to the 2023 Games and especially the Table Tennis event. This is what sport is all about!!!