NEWS

Table tennis, often a fun pastime with family and friends, also offers significant health benefits. Instead of the traditional workout routine, you can simply don your favourite sweatpants, head to your basement or sunroom, and engage in an invigorating game of table tennis. Both your body and mind will appreciate the change.

If you’re a table tennis enthusiast or a beginner, here are the top health benefits that will keep you motivated:

1. Enhances Reflexes: The fast-paced nature of table tennis significantly improves your reflexes, including both gross and fine muscle movements. Improved reflexes can help you avoid accidents and navigate daily life more efficiently.

2. Boosts Hand-Eye Coordination: A good table tennis rally stimulates mental alertness and concentration, enhancing your hand-eye coordination. This skill is crucial for various exercises and everyday tasks like writing and cooking.

3. Burns Calories: Table tennis, like all physical activities, burns a considerable number of calories. It’s an enjoyable and engaging way to work up a sweat without the monotony of a treadmill.

4. Low Impact Exercise: Unlike running or weightlifting, table tennis is a low-impact exercise that’s gentle on your joints, making it an ideal choice for those with back issues or a history of sprains.

5. Promotes Social Interaction: The compact nature of table tennis allows for meaningful conversations during the game, providing a fun alternative to screen time and enhancing your social life.

6. Increases Flexibility: Despite appearances, table tennis requires a fair amount of flexibility. From stretching across the table to retrieve a ball, it helps stretch your muscles after a sedentary day.

7. Sharpens the Brain: Known as the “world’s best brain sport,” table tennis stimulates various brain areas, enhancing hand-eye coordination, strategy planning, and prediction skills.

8. Improves Balance: As you strive to return every ball, you’re also giving your balance a significant workout.

9. Builds Strength: The repetitive low-impact movements in table tennis help build muscle in your arms, shoulders, and back.

10. Enhances Heart Health: Extended periods of physical activity, like an hour-long table tennis match, are excellent for maintaining a healthy heart.

11. Aids in Dementia Treatment: Research by the Sport and Art Educational Foundation suggests that table tennis can activate various brain areas, improving awareness in dementia patients.

UNLEASHING WOMEN’S POWER THROUGH SPORT
Play to Lead enables young women to develop the skills, confidence and relationships to become leaders, while improving gender equity and diversity in sport. The hybrid program unites a group of female athletes and their coaches, empowering them to reach their full potential and fostering a powerful network of girls in sport in Canada.

Jumpstart is launching the second year of the Play to Lead program. During the Summits, athletes will have the opportunity to network, develop leadership skills, and form friendships. After the Summits, the program will continue online, with athletes participating in regular virtual sessions and completing assignments to support their learning. Coaches will mentor the athletes, helping them apply their learnings during practices and games.

Participants from the Northwest Territories will be:

Emma Carey
Raine Mingo

Mentors: Beverly Pilgrim, Thorsten Gohl

“I feel honoured to be playing even a small part in empowering our young female NWT athletes to become role models and leaders within their sport. Through the Play to Lead conference, I am looking forward to networking with other sports leaders and gaining knowledge and tools as to how I can continue to guide these young women to be the best version of themselves. Not only as athletes but also as women in everyday life. By empowering these girls we are giving them a say in what they need, and allowing them to help mold and create a better future for themselves and those behind them. I believe that you can only be what you can see in this world, and I want to help create an environment where these young women can see dynamic women in every aspect of their sport.” – Beverly Pilgrim, supporting the youth and mentoring them throughout the project.

More information on the Play to Lead project can be found on the Jumpstart website.

Jumpstart Play To Lead Summit | Class of 2022-2023

Sport North cordially invites our athletes to participate in an upcoming social media campaign: “NWT Sport Strong; The South Steps Up”

The Concept: Sport North is seeking athletes across all age groups and skill levels to share images and narratives of their training routines in the southern regions during this period. Participants are requested to complete the attached questionnaire. Sport North will then transform the responses into an engaging, reader-friendly format, accompanied by the submitted pictures, for sharing on our social media platforms.

If you like to fill out the form, please send it to: wweaver@sportnorth.com

We are excited to announce that we are planning to create some engaging content for the upcoming National Coaches Week, which is scheduled from September 16th to 24th. We believe that this is a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation towards our coaches who have significantly impacted our lives.

We would be delighted if you could participate in this initiative. Here’s how you can contribute:

1. Send us a picture of you with your coach along with a brief paragraph describing how your coach has impacted your life. This could be a memorable incident, a lesson they taught you, or how they inspired you.

Coach’s Full Name:

What sport do they coach?

Community:

Athlete’s Full Name:

Position/Team/Club/Sport:

Community:

Questions and Answers

Answer at least 4 of the following questions (your total submission should be a minimum of 250 words):

1. What does your coach do that makes them a great coach?

2. Write a memory/story about your coach.

3. What lesson(s) has your coach instilled in you?

4. Pick three words that describe your coach. Explain why you chose each word.

5. What is something that reminds you of your coach?

6. Other than the sport they coach you in, what sport would you like to watch your coach try?

7. If you had to pick a karaoke song to describe your coach what would it be? Why?

8. What is an important skill your coach has that makes them a good coach?

9. Why do you want to say “thanks, coach”?

2. Create a short video expressing your gratitude towards your coach. Don’t forget to say #thankscoach at the end of your video. This will not only make your coach feel special but also inspire others to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their coaches.

We will start publishing these videos from September 16th, marking the beginning of National Coaches Week. Please note that the deadline for submissions is August 31st. Send your content to thor@tabletennisnorth.ca.

You can say thank you to all our coaches if you like, including Steve, Akiko, Beth, Bob, Thorsten, Katie, Emilia. For more information about National Coaches Week, you can visit the official website: https://coach.ca/national-coaches-week

We look forward to your participation in this initiative. Let’s come together to celebrate and thank our coaches for their invaluable contribution to our lives.

We hope that you and your families are safe. Here is an overview on websites that help you navigate through these difficult times in our Territory. If you have any other pages or information the we should include, send us an e-mail to info@tabletennisnorth.ca.

Alberta’s NWT evacuation side: Alberta reception centre locations and supports for Northwest Territories wildfire evacuees.

Financial Support during fire evacuation

Cabin Radio’s LIVE fire coverage – Find the latest information on the ongoing fires in the Territories with Cabin Radio (September 6, 2023).

Cabin Radio’s NWT Fire map – This map uses satellite hot-spots, existing burn area and even the North Slave fibre line’s location.

NWT Highways – This map is interactive; click on it to see important information about specific transportation routes.

NWT Live Fire Map – Updates on the wildfires in a live interactive map.

Nasa’s Fire Map – Fire Information for Resource Management System.

NWT Fire – Latest resource on fires in the Northwest Territories.

NWT Public Safety – Information on NWT wildlife, air quality, fire bans, notices, orders, evacuation and more.

NWT Evacuation Information – Information for evacuees.

Cabin Radio Guide to Financial Assistant – Guide to financial assistance and other supports for NWT evacuees.

Cabin Radio Guide to Evacuation Centres – Guide to evacuation centres and places to stay for NWT evacuees.

Cabin Radio Guide to Evacuation Transportation – Guide to evacuating by air, road for NWT communities.

Flight radar – Follow the air tankers and fire boss aircraft (not every aircraft is shown on that map)

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Hay River Fire updates – The Town of Hay River’s updates on the fires in the community.

Fort Smith Fire updates – Updates from the Town of Fort Smith on the fires in the community.

Yellowknife evacuees – Cabin Radio’s guide to support you.

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Yellowknife Airport – Arrival and departure of commercial flights in Yellowknife.

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Big River (Fort Providence) Gas Station

Opening Hours: 7am until 11pm
Contact information: (867) 699-4301, manager@bigriverservices.com

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Check some of the articles on these pages as they have some valuable information.

CBC North

Northern News Services Limited

Cabin Radio

True North FM

List of RADIO STATIONS in your community (not sure how accurate they are, but definitely worth knowing).

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

Chandra has been part of the first steps of the Territorial Sport Organization in the Northwest Territories and is deeply missed in the North and in our hearts. We are so happy that the Fair Play Award at the Canadian Table Tennis Championships will in his name.

In tribute to the late Chandra Madhosingh, the Fair Play Award at the Canadian Championships will henceforth bear his name. Chandra’s contributions to the sport were immense and multifaceted, spanning roles as a player, coach, official, and administrator. 

His absence is deeply felt, yet his legacy stands tall, a testament to his enduring impact on the sport. Chandra’s influence permeates the very fabric of Canadian table tennis, his roles having encompassed player, club coach, provincial coach, national coach, international umpire, and even President of Table Tennis Canada in the 1980s. He also served on the ITTF’s Media Committee and was elected as a member of TTCAN’s Board of Director in 2019, over three decades after his presidency. 

While Chandra may no longer be with us in body, his spirit endures, forever woven into the heart of Canadian table tennis. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Canadian Table Tennis Championships Fair Play Award 

The Chandra Madhosingh Fair Play Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon a player who exemplifies the highest standards of sportsmanship and “fair play” behavior throughout the competition. This award is not merely about the skills or the performance of the player in the game, but it is about the player’s attitude, respect for rules, respect for opponents, and the spirit of camaraderie. 

The process of nomination for this award is carried out by the umpires, who closely observe the conduct of each player on and off the table. These nominations are then forwarded to the Referees and Competition Manager, who make the final selection. This award serves as a testament to the player’s integrity, promoting the essence of fair competition and respect in the Table Tennis world.

The Canadian Press added the cancellation of the 2023 Canadian Table Tennis Championships to their news cycle.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/canadian-table-tennis-championships-in-hay-river-cancelled-due-to-n-w-t-wildfires/article_5ab39b20-daaa-5ed8-be50-df473d5e9645.html

Canadian Table Tennis Championships in Hay River cancelled due to N.W.T. wildfires

Hay River bows out of hosting Canadian Table Tennis Championships due to wildfires

News Release – Table Tennis North – Championships Cancellation – 2023-08-22

Hay River, Northwest Territories, August 23, 2023 – The 2023 Canadian Table Tennis Championships, scheduled for September 22-24 has been cancelled due to the local state of emergency and ongoing wildfire situation in the Northwest Territories.

“While Table Tennis North and its partners are very disappointed to have to cancel this event, we believe this decision is in the best interest of everyone,” said Marny Twigge, Vice President, Table Tennis North. “It is indeed devastating to witness the havoc caused by the wildfires, and we hope everyone is keeping safe and in good health.”

In light of this, the organising committee is looking to regroup and determine next steps for this event, including proposing to the members of Table Tennis Canada to host the event in 2024. Table Tennis North and its partners look forward to showcase their capabilities to host a very successful edition of the Canadian Table Tennis Championships next year. Once circumstances return to normal, further updates will be provided.

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.