Media

A huge thank you to Ian Marshall and the International Table Tennis Federation for putting Table Tennis North and Team NWT on the World map. A great article on the many things we are doing in the Northwest Territories.

http://www.ittf.com/2016/12/21/raising-temperature-table-tennis-rocks-north-west-territories/

“Thorsten Gohl is becoming one of the busiest sporting personalities in the NWT.”

What a great way to start the article, written by James McCarthy from News North. And very true, Table Tennis has been very busy over the last 16 month and getting more and more attention in the Northwest Territories. With only 13 month to go to the Arctic Winter Games, it is definitely a good sign!

Get your copy of News North or check it out right HERE.

First of all a big thank you to Elaine and “Up Here” magazine in featuring us in their December issue. 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 11.

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. 

HERE is the full article. If you want, pick up a hard copy and/or order the magazine on UP HERE’s website.

Story by Elaine Anselmi
Photography by Thorsten Gohl

Arctic Winter Games Silver Medalist Tamara Jovic stopped by 101.1 The Moose FM, to give ‘The Wheel’ a few pointers.

Have a look at the fun video inside Moose FM’s board room.

Tamara Jovic was very excited about this, “That was fun! My first ever time in a radio station and I was even able to choose a song afterwards. Plus, it will be a great weekend of Table Tennis ahead of me!”

Tamara playing with Jesse on the Board Meeting table. FUN TIMES!!!

Tamara inside the studio, getting ready for her interview.

It was a very exciting time for Table Tennis North when Doug Rentmeister, Executive Director of Sport North, came for a visit to Sir John High School. He observed the clinic that coach Thor was hosting with the Sir John Sport Academy.

Table Tennis is the 30th Territorial Sport Organization and newest member under the Sport North Umbrella. Now 16 months old, Table Tennis North has reached 11 communities, plus played and workshoped with over 2,500 children in the Northwest Territories. This month of November has included  5 schools in  Yellowknife. 

“Sport North is the foundation of our success. They welcomed us into their family just over a year ago, giving us the possibility as a Territorial Sport Organization to expand and grow. It is very important to come together and make the North stronger, we work and succeed together with one common goal.”

October 07th 2016, Fort Providence – 2014 AWG Table Tennis Athlete Fiona Huang and 2016 AWG Table Tennis Athlete Jacqueline Larocque competed at the 2016 NWT Cross Country Run in Fort Providence. Fiona roled her ankle during the race and could not compete at her best, like she did in 2015 when she won the gold medal. Jacqueline on the other hand was in good form, with a big smile on her face and ended up with a Silver Medal in her hands.

We had some questions for both Athletes.

How do you feel? Was it fun?

Jacqueline: It felt awesome I had a lot of fun. I wish I could do it again next year I feel like I could have put in a better time at the end. But I feel as I did great, my first year since grade 7 and I got second. I had only trained for about 2-3 days a week for about 2 weeks. So I am pretty proud of my progress that run.

Fiona: I actually didn’t do that good because I rolled my ankle . 

Was it as hard running Cross Country than it was playing Table Tennis in Greenland?

Jacqueline: No there is no multitasking involved. I didn’t have to focus on anything else but my legs and positive mind to keep going. Where as table tennis there is a bit more to be aware of; the other opponent and how they will play, your body and which way you will go, and trying to keep up hope for the rest of the match

What is harder, running a Cross Country Run or playing Table Tennis at the Arctic Winter Games?

Fiona: Hmmm table tennis I think. hHha running is easier for me!

Do you still play table tennis from time to time?

Jacqueline: Every so often. Not as much as I did for training for the Arctic Winter Games. But it’s fun to just do a game here and there with some friends.

Fiona: Yes I did play this year haha ! Just at lunch and little fun games with my schoolmates. Depends on the match, but sometimes I “kicked some butt”.

What else are you up too lately?

Jacqueline: I go to the gym or I run. Lately I have been doing quite a bit of Volleyball. Last year of high school I better make it count by motivation and progress on my athleticism. School, work, and my health is my main thing right now.

Fiona: Just busy with school.

UP HERE Magazine came to Fort Providence to do some research on an editorial piece about Table Tennis in the Hamlet. The story should be in the December issue of the magazine.

A big thank you to Elaine for coming out and being part of our community!!!

UP HERE magazine WEBSITE and FACEBOOK page

A Yellowknife table tennis enthusiast is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Sixty-one year old retiree Paul Devitt recently returned home from a professional table tennis training camp in Hungary.

“I really just want to be the best that I can be,” Devitt says.

He trained six hours a day to get in shape before travelling to Hungary last month. He spent two weeks at the Hungarian training camp, getting tips from some of Europe’s top coaches.

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