I wanted to share a very nice experience that has resonated with me over the years, and the most recent one truly stands out. 

Table Tennis North is hosting virtual sessions on Aerobic Table Tennis, a fun activity that keeps youth active, teaches them about the sport, and incorporates physical workouts all to the beat of music. While these sessions are primarily for our Team NT athletes, weSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ve opened them up to participants from coast to coast to coast. This week, we were thrilled to welcome Team Nunavik (Northern Quebec) to our sessions.

As we all know, hosting events and finding participants in small communities can be quite challenging. The same issues we face in the NWT are mirrored in Nunavik. Yet seeing participants join us is nothing short of wonderful. ItSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s a reminder of how we can bring the circumpolar world closer together. What fills me with gratitude is the commitment of individuals who show up to create opportunities for youth participation. We may not know the personal circumstances of each athlete, but we do know that a dedicated person named Khan is opening up the school gym for the Nunavik athletes on a Saturday morning. 

Despite snowstorms, tough circumstances, or the everyday stresses they face, these athletes are well taken care of. Witnessing them seize the opportunity to participate makes everything worthwhile. As my friend Steve Rowe says, #thatswhy.

Adding to this inspiring story, our national team athletes are facilitating these sessions. We are fortunate to have Joyce Xu from Ontario and Ivy Liao from British Columbia, who create a wonderful atmosphere for our participants. ItSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s a win-win situation: these national team athletes empower our youth, while the youth, in turn, forge meaningful connections with them.

The essence of my message is simple, and if youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re still reading, you likely understand where ISA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™m going with this. We need you, and others, to open up those gyms, halls, and rinks. Turn on the lights during a snowstorm, cook some breakfast, but most importantly, just show up. If we all take a few minutes out of our busy lives and responsibilities to give an hour here or there, we can collectively make this world a better place.

If youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re considering this right now, I assure you that many others are thinking the same way. I understand that itSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s not easy; there are obstacles. But just like taking that first step on your Walk to Tuk or heading to the territorial snowball championships team practice, it all begins with that initial move. And yes, that includes those dusty, neglected table tennis tables in the corner. Reach out to your youth centre, your recreation coordinator, or your local school, and see what you can do. Even better, bring a family member or a friend along and do it together. 

ItSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s all about showing up and taking that first step. Trust me - many good things will follow. LetSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s come together to create opportunities for our youth and strengthen our communities. Together, we can make a difference. Each of us has the power to make a difference and when we unite our efforts, we can inspire the next generation to reach their full potential.

-Thorsten Gohl is co-ordinator of Physical Literacy NWT