We are all Team NT

Two young female NWT athletes, Raine Mingo and Emma Carey,  had the opportunity to attend the Play to Lead Summit in Edmonton over the weekend. 

The Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation’s Play to Lead initiative is making a significant impact by empowering young women to develop leadership skills and promoting gender equality and diversity in sports.

Both athletes were able to take part in sessions that helped develop their leadership skills while building lasting relationships with like-minded peers.  When asking Raine to reflect on the summit, she said “I had an incredible time at the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Play to Lead Summit in Edmonton.  I’ve learned lots of new things and ways to bring back the sense of confidence and inclusion in the female athlete world.” Raine is appreciative of the valuable knowledge and strategies she gained at the conference, emphasizing the importance of confidence and inclusion for female athletes. This demonstrates the impact that Play to Lead has on participants’ understanding and ability to create positive change in the sports community.

Additionally, Emma was thankful for the personal growth and motivation she gained from the workshops.  ” All the workshops provided valuable lessons and motivation, benefiting my personal growth as both an individual, athlete and coach.  It is my wish to enhance my own abilities and empower young female athletes to pursue their passion for sports and promote gender equality and diversity in sports in the NWT”. It is heartening to see that Emma aspires not only to enhance her own abilities but also to empower other young female athletes in the North to pursue their passions and advocate for gender equity and diversity in sports.

The Play to Lead Summit not only offers valuable lessons and motivation but also encourages athletes to become change agents in their communities. By equipping young women with the tools they need to be leaders, Play to Lead is fostering a more inclusive and equitable sports environment.

Every four years the CANADA Winter Games bring the best youth athletes from the country together.

Within our very own Thor, executive director for Table Tennis North. His responsibility as the NSO (National Sport Organization) Lead, was to liaise between the host society and the NSO. Overseeing all elements of the Table Tennis competition at this prestige Multi Sport event. A task that started 18 month prior to the event that was hosted February/March of 2023. Including sourcing equipment, finding officials, making sure all technical events of the competition are in place and overseen.

Thor was definitely grateful for this learning experience. “It was a team effort with hard working people like our tournament manager and the support of the Referee Team and our officials. Amazing support from the host society through obstacles with the set up of the venue and a few hours of scare with results transmissions.” 

In continuation, “It was not easy at times. We learned, we listened, we adopted and at the end, the athletes were able to give their best performances and will remember this competition for the rest of their lives. We showed the world that Table Tennis is a fantastic sport, made friends and will do even better at the next Canada Winter Games in four year.”

We know that the participants enjoyed the experience and had a wonderful time. They competed for six days, celebrated their personal victories to gold medals, and showed up and give their best. 

Amazing to see our territorial involvement on the national stage and we know that more amazing things are to come. Thank you Thor for your commitment to sport in the Northwest Territories and beyond.

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!!!

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Cross Country NWT @crosscountrynwt
NWT Curling @nwtcurling
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NWT Soccer @NWTSoccerAssociation
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Speed Skating NWT @speedskatingnwt
NWT Squash @NWTSquash
Table Tennis North @analyst
Volleyball NT @VolleyballNTAssociation