Hay River, Northwest Territories, August 7, 2023 – It is with excitement that we are announcing that Hay River, Northwest Territories, is the host for the 2023 Canadian Table Tennis Championships from September 22-24, 2023. This prestigious tournament will bring together the best Canadian Table Tennis athletes from all over the country! For many years, it has served as a platform for these talented individuals to showcase their skills and compete against one another in a bid to become Canadian Champion.
“The town of Hay River is excited to be chosen as the host of the 2023 Canadian National Table Tennis Championships! We look forward to welcoming all the participants into our community and showcasing our recreation facilities. Town Council thanks Table Tennis North for coordinating this event and the many contributing partners and volunteers.” Mayor Kandis Jameson, Hay River
In advance of the tournament, Table Tennis North will schedule a Table Tennis Festival from September 15-17, an exciting event that aims to bring together youth from various communities in the Territories. This event is not just about hosting a series of Table Tennis matches, but also about fostering unity, promoting sportsmanship, and providing a platform for young people to showcase their skills on and off the table. The Festival will feature a variety of sports, including Northern and Dene games, offering a unique blend of modern and indigenous culture. One of the highlights of the Festival will be the opportunity for participants to play on the courts of the Canadian Table Tennis Championships. This experience will inspire our youth to pursue their passion in sports, including Table Tennis, bridge communities together and empower our next generation of athletes.
We are also thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a Coaches and Officials Clinic from September 18-20. This initiative is a direct result of the tremendous success witnessed during the 2023 Arctic Winter Games with an immense potential for growth in coach and officials development. As part of our commitment to fostering excellence in sports, we have partnered with Table Tennis Canada, the Aboriginal Sport Circle NWT and Sport North to offer a series of courses. This will also be an opportunity to celebrate National Coaches Week from September 16-24. These courses will provide valuable training and education opportunities for coaches and officials, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their respective roles.
“Table Tennis North is honored to be hosting the prestigious Canadian Table Tennis Championships in our small northern community. This event serves as a testament to our ability to successfully organize and host major sporting events, proving that size is not a limitation when it comes to showcasing our capabilities. The legacy left behind with equipment staying in the Territories, and training for officials and coaches demonstrates our ability to achieve greatness through strong partnerships. This not only fosters a sense of pride and ownership but also allows for continued growth and development in various fields. Additionally, the training of officials and coaches will ensure that there are knowledgeable and skilled volunteers to guide and mentor aspiring individuals. We Northerners can achieve anything when we come together and set our minds to it. It serves as a powerful reminder that with the right resources and support, we can overcome any obstacle and leave a lasting impact on our communities.” – Marny Twigge, Vice-President of Table Tennis North and Hay River resident
“Table Tennis Canada is very excited to have its National Championships in Hay River in the Northwest Territories. This is a unique opportunity for our players, coaches, and officials to discover the Canadian North while competing for national titles. We thank the organizing committee, Table Tennis North, and the Town of Hay River for all their efforts and hard work to stage a successful event. We wish the participants all the best in their competition, and we are sure that they will have a unique experience.” – Adham Sharara, President of Table Tennis Canada
The success of this event is made possible through the generous financial support of various organizations, including the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport North, Table Tennis Canada and the Town of Hay River. Their contributions ensure that this championship is a resounding success, promoting the sport of Table Tennis and fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among athletes and spectators alike.
“On behalf of the Sport North Federation, we congratulate Table Tennis North in their successful bid to host the National Championships being held September 22-24th, 2023 in Hay River. Thank You to the Town of Hay River for welcoming Table Tennis Athletes, Coaches and Officials from throughout Canada, to participate in this incredible occasion. Hay River’s Spirit, Good Will and Experience in hosting large events, will no doubt make the Championships a true success.” – Bill Othmer, Executive Director
Sport North Federation
Table Tennis North, along with all partners, is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our communities and the best Canadian Table Tennis athletes for an exciting event in Hay River from September 15-24, 2023. Whether you are a passionate Table Tennis enthusiast or simply curious about the sport, this event is sure to leave you inspired and entertained. More information about the events will be provided in the upcoming weeks. We look forward to seeing you there and creating unforgettable memories together.
- info@tabletennisnorth.ca
Media
Aug
Jul
So many amazing things are happening in the North that are worth while featuring. Check out what happened just this week in the Northwest Territories. Here are just a few …
Yellowknife teenager Tanaka Muwirimi has travelled to the Premier League’s West Ham United in pursuit of his dream: European academy soccer.
Darren Horn already has an accomplished resume when it comes to coaching volleyball, but he’s about to add another line to that. And it may be the biggest one yet.
Good luck to our U19 Wolverines who are headed to Alberta this weekend! Stay tuned for results!
Congratulations to the NWT’s Blair Chapman who has leveled up to Starter 3B!!
Hockey NWT and former NHL’er Curtis Glencross at the Hay River Golf Club having a blast with the youth!!!
Nov
Beth Warner-Hudson on behalf of Table Tennis North
“Who are we without the love we have for our children? It is this
hope of a good life for our children, our grandchildren, and those
who are yet to come that this work is based in. It is the work of the
previous generations who have sacrificed themselves in knowing
that the future generations will need space to exist as per the
instructions of the Creator. Space where they will be free to grow
and thrive as the Creator intended; for our children to be good
people and to live a good life. Only, our children can’t do that.”
– Grand Chief Gerry Antoine of the Dene Nation,
speaking at the Dehcho Physical Literacy Conference;
Fort Providence, Northwest Territories; March 2022
Physical activity for Indigenous Peoples across Turtle
Island is more than just the enjoyment and benefit of
movement: it’s a foundation for living “the good life”
that Indigenous Elders and Ancestors have continued
to pass down to the next generation. Since time
immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived, thrived
and grown in harmony with the Land and all our
relations with Mother Earth. Colonization took away
the ability to speak, to share, to grow and to pass on
our teachings to the next generation. A lot was lost and
there is still a lot to reclaim. How has this impacted
how Indigenous Peoples engage in physical activity?
The Dene Nation exists within the colonial borders of
the Northwest Territories and is home to many distinct
nations and regions that have shared relationships with
the Land known as Denendeh since time immemorial.
Grand Chief Gerry Antoine, elected representative for
the Dene Nation within the Assembly of First Nations,
recently spoke at the Dehcho Physical Literacy
Conference on the importance of storytelling and
passing on knowledge to the next generation of young
Leaders. The Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories
is helping to better understand and deliver quality
physical literacy programming as a leader in the field
in the North.
What is “the good life,” and why is it important for
Indigenous Children? Canada now exists as a settler
state in our global society, which erases and limits
what we know about Indigenous Peoples and their rich
histories with the Land. Being on the Land is one way
in which to share, support and learn from the very
knowledge holders who want so badly to pass on their
teachings to the next generation. Our ability to pass
on these gifts was stolen because of Indian Residential
Schools, and while we have been able to maintain some
knowledge through whispers and storytelling from those
who escaped, we are critically aware of the losses – of
language, ancestors, family members, culture and identity.
But that does not mean there is no hope for a better future.
Indigenous Communities across Turtle Island are diverse
and vast, and all have their own teachings, languages and
cultural protocols. There is no “one way” to bring together
all Canadians on the field or in the gym, but there are
ways in which we can work together to bring back what
was lost. While it is important to avoid generalizing
about all Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, there
is unification in our responsibility as Guardians and
Stewards of Mother Earth to protect, honour and respect
her, and to live the good life she continues to gift us every
day. Indigenous Peoples do not view physical activity as a
singular domain for achieving the benefits of health, but as
one of the important areas of life in which we must remain
balanced to be healthy.
We cannot exist as grounded, healthy and thriving Peoples
if our lives are out of balance. Balance is achieved by
supporting the individual as a whole and taking a holistic
perspective on wellness to address barriers to physical
activity; our physical health will not be good if our social,
emotional, intellectual, spiritual and cultural health are
struggling. Therefore, supporting more Indigenous-based
physical activity programming is critical in supporting
a healthier Canada for all Canadians. It is time to stop
and listen to all the teachings, gifts and knowledge that
Indigenous Elders and Ancestors have been saving for us
since colonization began. It is time to find ways to include
Land-based teachings and opportunities in our school
systems, our afterschool programs and our sports teams,
and at home with our families. It is time for all of us to
take that step out of our front doors and take seriously
our inherent responsibilities as Guardians and Stewards
of Mother Earth to protect, honour and respect her, and
to live the good life on Turtle Island.
Oct
Once again we are happy to see our articles in The Minor Hockey News! Check out the articles “What’s been happening with Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories” and “2016, the Year of Table Tennis North’s Executive Director Thorsten Gohl.”
A fun read and you will be up to date on what is happening with Table Tennis in the NWT.
Read the full articles right here: Minor Hockey News – Table Tennis
Oct
Paul Noel is from Belgium. He began playing Table Tennis at the age of six and by 11-years-old had joined a club. He did well through competition and would go on to obtain a Master’s in Physical Education and become a professional coach, after working his way up from an assistant coach.
He’s been involved in Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Saskatchewan as a coach and has enjoyed his time giving back to the sport.
Table Tennis, Noel states, is a great way to build skills as children grow and develop: everything from agility, balance, coordination, catching, throwing, hitting, running, and jumping within the game. It also develops youths’ dexterity and focus as they utilize hand-eye coordination to return an opponents’ hit.
Paul was probably the youngest coach winning the European Cup during his 4 years in the German Bundesliga with TTC Jülich in the 90’s. He reached the cup final 4 times and won it 3 times during that time. Paul is since 2011 in Canada and the head coach for Table Tennis Saskatchewan, being the coach for gold medal winning Alayna Chen in the Senior Women Doubles category at the Canadian Championships.
We are very excited to have Paul in the Northwest Territories! Welcome!
Sep
Apr
Apr
A beautiful article by Elaine Anselmi from UP HERE.
A wonderful article to support our vision to promote and develop an active, healthy and fun environment with the sport of Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories.
One huge supporter of Table Tennis in the Northwest Territories is Principal of Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, Lois Phillip. “It’s about creating opportunities and creating a safe space,” says Lois. “A safe space where kids can be kids.” And that is what we are trying to do with Fort Providence, and also bring our multi seasonal sport into other communities, creating those same opportunities and fun, safe spaces.
Once we reach the communities, it is about keeping involved. One hopes by being constant, being the role models that we can be, it will make a difference in their lives. “I must say, I’m a dreamer and crazy sometimes,” Gohl says. “I said when I came here, in a year’s time, I want to do 20 communities.” He made his move to Fort Providence in September 2015, and while 20 may have been a lofty goal, he’s already hit 13.
We will definitely hit 20 communities by the end of our 2 year anniversary as a Territorial Sport Organization, but more important, we want to go back to those communities as much as we can, support them how ever possible, and see the sport grow in participation, with increased health and focus with time for all ages.
“Table Tennis is becoming more than just something to do” is how the article ends and that is very true. We have seen an immense growth of participation and interest in the Sport of Table Tennis in the North and we are looking forward to more excitement in the future.
BUY the magazine or read our article right HERE.
Apr
An iconic venue, a splendid initiative was taken in Northern Territories, Canada to celebrate World Table Tennis Day on Thursday 6th April.
by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Organized by Thorsten Gohl, the man charged with promoting table tennis in the region, situated next to the Mackenzie River in Fort Simpson, the largest tepee in the world was the home for proceedings.
An iconic venue, a splendid initiative was taken in Northern Territories,c Canada to celebrate World Table Tennis Day on Thursday 6th April.
Organized by Thorsten Gohl, the man charged with promoting table tennis in the region, situated next to the Mackenzie River in Fort Simpson, the largest tepee in the world was the home for proceedings.
Check out the FULL ARTICLE.