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#WeAreAllTeamNT Campaign Launches New Logo and Online Store

Celebrating the Spirit of Sport, Community, and Support Across the North

June 2025, Northwest Territories – Originally started by Table Tennis North, Hockey NWT, and Badminton NWT in the lead-up to the 2023 multi-sport games, the #WeAreAllTeamNT campaign has grown into a territory-wide movement. With over 3,000 hashtag uses across social media and countless moments of community pride, the campaign is now entering a new chapter, with a bold new logo and the launch of an official online store.

#WeAreAllTeamNT shines a spotlight on the people behind the athletes. The parents, volunteers, teachers, coaches, zamboni drivers, recreation staff, and countless others who support Team NT in ways big and small. It is a reminder that success in sport is never achieved alone.

The online store is open from June 23 to July 6, 2025
Orders will ship in time for the 2025 Canada Summer Games
Shop here: https://store.vbsapparel.ca/weareallteamnt/shop/home

This first store opening is a test run to gauge interest and give supporters across the territory a chance to wear their pride. Whether you’re cheering from the stands, packing snacks, driving to practice, or coaching from the sidelines, this is your campaign too.

CONTEST ALERT
The first 5 people to email info@physicalliteracy.info will receive a #WeAreAllTeamNT pin and sticker, a small thank you for being part of something bigger.

A Logo That Reflects the North

The #WeAreAllTeamNT logo is more than just a design, it’s a powerful representation of unity, inclusion, and northern identity. At its center is the hashtag, symbolizing connection and shared purpose. The vibrant, mosaic-style “NT” reflects the diversity of people, communities, and perspectives that make up the Northwest Territories.

The colors draw from the land, deep lakes, green forests, northern lights, and starlit skies, all framed by a white outline symbolizing clarity, resilience, and unity. Like the snow that connects our communities, the outline pulls every piece together.

This logo doesn’t belong to any one organization. It belongs to the people who show up, every day, to support movement, growth, and opportunity for young athletes across the North.

Because it’s not just about the players on the field. It’s about all of us who support, believe, and belong.

#WeAreAllTeamNT

Olympic Day 2025 – Let’s Move with Physical Literacy NWT!

Every year on June 23, people across the globe come together to celebrate Olympic Day, a worldwide movement that celebrates the joy of sport and movement. Rooted in the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894, this day reminds us of the core Olympic values: excellence, friendship, and respect.

This year’s theme, Let’s Move, is an invitation to everyone, of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, to take a step, a leap, a spin, or simply explore what movement means in their own bodies and communities.

At Physical Literacy NWT, we believe movement is more than physical activity. It’s about building confidence, motivation, and knowledge to stay active for life. Whether it’s children learning to balance, families dancing at home, Elders stretching, or youth exploring sport for the first time, every motion matters.

Why Physical Literacy?

Because when people develop fundamental movement skills, they’re more likely to stay active, healthy, and engaged for life.

• It supports mental, emotional, and physical well-being
• It strengthens community and cultural connection
• It creates a foundation for participation in sport, recreation, and daily life
• And most importantly, it’s fun

A Day with Olympic Roots

Olympic Day was first celebrated on June 23, 1948. Since then, it has grown into a global celebration that includes fun runs, youth events, festivals, and creative ways to explore movement across cultures.

Our Northern Commitment

Physical Literacy NWT is proud to support Olympism365, helping communities across the Northwest Territories access inclusive, community-led opportunities for movement. From school programs and local training to mentorship and multi-sport festivals, we’re working alongside partners to make meaningful movement accessible to all.

Show Us How You Move!

Celebrate Olympic Day with us by sharing how you’re getting active today. Whether it’s a walk in the woods, a game of tag, or a moment of mindful movement, every action counts.

Tag us and use: #LetsMove | #OlympicDay | #PhysicalLiteracyNWT | #weareallteamnt

Let’s honour Olympic Day by moving together, with purpose, with joy, and with community. Happy Olympic Day from all of us at Physical Literacy NWT!

Honouring Movement, Culture, and Community – National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate the history, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across the Northwest Territories and Canada.

At Physical Literacy NWT, we recognize that movement is more than just physical activity, it’s a way of knowing, connecting, and being. For Indigenous peoples, movement is deeply rooted in culture, ceremony, land-based practices, and intergenerational knowledge.

From traditional games and dance to hunting, paddling, and walking the land, movement has always been a part of Indigenous life, fostering resilience, community strength, and belonging.

On this day, we honour:

The strength of Indigenous youth, families, and leaders who carry forward these traditions
The ways in which communities are reclaiming space for culturally relevant physical activity
The knowledge keepers and elders who remind us that movement is not separate from spirit, language, or land

As we build physical literacy programs across the territory, our goal is to listen, learn, and support in a good way, creating environments where all children can move with joy, confidence, and cultural pride.

Mahsi cho to all who are walking, dancing, drumming, skating, biking, snowshoeing, and living with movement as a gift and a way forward.

Movement, Identity, and the Power of Story

This Olympic Day, we are filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the movement we witness every day in our communities. Gratitude for the support from the Canadian Olympic Committee, not only in funding after-school programs in Fort Providence, but in bringing the Olympic spirit to life by sending a remarkable role model to the Northwest Territories, Team Canada Olympian Liam Gill.

Who Is Liam Gill?
Liam is a proud Indigenous athlete and snowboarder who made history by representing Canada at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games and Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Born and raised in Calgary, with roots in the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, Liam carries his culture and community with him every time he rides. His path has not always been easy, but it is full of courage, resilience, and heart. That’s exactly why his visit meant so much to us.

A Northern Welcome
Liam joined us in Fort Providence to celebrate Olympic Day with the students at Deh Gah School. And true to Northern spirit, we didn’t stop there. We travelled with Liam to Kakisa and Hay River, where he shared his story, played with students, and reminded us all that being an Olympian is not just about medals, it’s about identity, community, and perseverance.

Inspiring the Next Generation
At each stop, Liam connected with youth in the most powerful way, by listening. He spoke about the importance of staying active, trusting the journey, and holding on to who you are. His presence sparked something in our students: a desire to move, to try, and to dream.

In Fort Providence, the legacy was immediate. Youth started asking to use the local toboggan hill as a snowboard slope. In Kakisa, the principal pledged to purchase snowboards for the winter. In every community, Liam’s visit became more than an event, it became a catalyst.

Why It Matters
Olympic Day, celebrated each year on June 23, is about promoting the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship. In the North, these values take on deep meaning. They show up in how we share, how we support one another, and how we move forward, together.

With the support of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and champions like Liam, we are helping youth in remote communities see themselves reflected in sport. We are building physical literacy not just through skills, but through culture, mentorship, and belonging.

Mahsi Cho / Thank You
To Liam Gill, thank you for showing up as your full self, and for inspiring ours. To the Canadian Olympic Committee, thank you for believing in the North. To our schools, educators, and leaders, thank you for making space for sport to heal, empower, and connect.

From all of us at Physical Literacy NWT, Happy Olympic Day. May we continue to move with purpose, lead with love, and pass the torch to the next generation.

Join Us for Our Next Community of Practice Session – June 17, 2025

We’re excited to invite you to the next Community of Practice session on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 12 PM MDT.

This month, we’re thrilled to welcome Sarah Gallsworthy, a Physical Literacy mastermind, who will lead us through an engaging session on the power and impact of Physical Literacy. From fundamental movement skills to high performance sport and embracing an active for life mindset, Sarah will share valuable insights that connect across all sectors and stages of movement.

As always, we’ll also hear updates from different sectors, celebrate ongoing initiatives, and wrap things up with some fun, interactive activities. Whether you’re in health, education, sport, recreation, or just passionate about movement, this session is for you.

If you’re interested in joining, sign up here: https://forms.gle/PqbCSERRc6K4yVLt8
📩 Questions? Reach out to thor@physicalliteracy.info

Let’s keep the momentum going, together.

It Takes a Community: Hay River Shows Up for Track & Field

Like the saying goes, it takes a community.

And this week’s edition of The Hub is living proof. As athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers arrived in Hay River for the 31st NWT Track & Field Championships, they were met not just with sunshine and cheers, but with a full-page spread of local support.

From small businesses to major sponsors, the pages of the newspaper are filled with colourful ads and heartfelt messages welcoming participants and celebrating sport in the North. Whether it’s Aurora Ford offering good luck, Mackenzie Electric cheering “Bon Succès,” or Sport North & Athletics NWT reminding us of the discipline and dedication it takes to compete, each message matters. They are more than ads; they are reminders that community pride runs deep in Hay River.

The support is wide-ranging: mechanics, hardware stores, accountants, municipal departments, and hometown shops all showing up. The athletes may be the ones on the track, but the whole community is in the race beside them.

So here’s to everyone who stood behind the starting line. even if from the sidelines or the pages of a newspaper. These messages are encouragement in print, proof that community spirit is alive and well, and a powerful reminder that every leap, sprint, and finish line is made possible by those who care.

Thank you, Hay River. You make sport more than competition. you make it connection.

Celebrating Pride Month with Physical Literacy NWT

Everyone Belongs in Movement

At Physical Literacy NWT, we believe that movement is a universal right—and that every body deserves the chance to move, play, and thrive in a safe, inclusive environment.

This Pride Month, we proudly stand with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, families, educators, and leaders across the Northwest Territories. We recognize that true inclusion means creating spaces where people of all identities feel seen, respected, and empowered to participate fully and joyfully in movement.

From classrooms to gymnasiums, playgrounds to open land, we are committed to fostering belonging through physical literacy at every stage of life.

Let’s keep moving forward, together.

PrideMonth #PhysicalLiteracyNWT #MoveWithPride #2SLGBTQIA #InclusionInMotion #PrideInTheNorth #EveryBodyBelongs

Youth Voice Matters: Help Shape the Future of Sport and Play in the NWT

Physical Literacy NWT is proud to support a national project by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, the State of Play Youth Survey 2025. This initiative is about listening to young people across Canada, including the Northwest Territories, to better understand how they engage with sport and play. What gets them moving? What holds them back? And what can we do to make movement, recreation, and sport more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful?

Deadline: June 30, 2025
Who Can Participate: Youth aged 8–18
Why It Matters:

  • We want to know how kids experience physical activity in schools, communities, and sport programs
  • Their voices will help guide future decisions, funding, and programming across Canada
  • The more we understand, the better we can support confidence, competence, and motivation to move!

The survey is completely anonymous and voluntary.

Take the survey now: https://rezed.io/1PLYN1
Or scan the QR code on the poster!

Physical Literacy NWT Qr-code-1PLYN6Download

We encourage all young people in the NWT to speak up and share their experience. Let’s make sport and play something everyone can enjoy, in every community.

Coaching as a Living System – Reflections on the Advanced Coaching Diploma

By Thorsten Gohl

Earlier this year, I completed the Advanced Coaching Diploma (ACD), Canada’s highest level of coach education. What I thought would be a structured academic experience turned out to be something far more impactful: a human journey of reflection, purpose, and growth.

Delivered through the Coaching Association of Canada and partners like the Canadian Sport Institute, the ACD focuses on developing high-performance coaches not just in technical skill, but in leadership, planning, and personal integrity. The program is built around five core competencies:

•Coaching Leadership
•Coaching Effectiveness
•Performance Planning
•Performance Analysis
•Program Management

At first, these seemed like deliverables. Tasks. But over time, I saw them as interconnected threads, ways to anchor coaching in something more meaningful.

Coaching in the North, Coaching in Community

I didn’t enter the ACD with a crisp coaching philosophy or fancy binders. I came in with experience, walking beside youth, supporting communities, and creating space for learning. The ACD helped me put language to what I was already doing, and offered structure to keep doing it better.

Tools like the GAPS analysis, Yearly Training Plan (YTP), and Individual Performance Plan (IPP) weren’t just assignments to be submitted. I treated them as living documents, shared, updated, and centered around athlete needs. These tools became springboards for conversations, both with athletes and fellow coaches.

A Ripple of Support

This journey wasn’t mine alone. I was supported by Sport North, through the “They Can Coach” grant, which made this learning possible. And I was surrounded by mentors and peers who challenged and encouraged me along the way. One reflection that stuck with me: “Your legacy goes far beyond coaching, it’s about how you empower others and create sustainable change.” — Adam, ACD Mentor That’s what it’s really about. Not output. Not results. But the ripple effect, the space we create for others to grow.

The Final Presentation: A Mirror

It wasn’t until the final presentation that the journey truly landed for me. That space became a mirror. A chance to reflect not just on what I’d learned, but on who I had become. And in that space, the feedback I received wasn’t about performance, it was about presence. It was a reminder that the work we do quietly, consistently, and with care, matters.

Looking Ahead

The ACD gave me tools, language, and structure. But more importantly, it gave me confirmation, that coaching is a living system. One that evolves through relationships, conversations, and a shared vision for what’s possible.

If you’re a coach interested in growing your practice, or just want to talk about what this journey could look like, I’d be happy to share more.

This isn’t the end of a plan. It’s the beginning of a ripple.

When Plans Change, Communities Step Up

Hay River & Fort Smith Host Last-Minute Soccer Tournament

When the Senior Super Soccer event was unexpectedly cancelled, two NWT communities came together to ensure the youth didn’t miss their chance to play. In a matter of days, Hay River and Fort Smith organized a vibrant weekend tournament at the DJSS gym, proving once again that in small communities, heart and hustle go a long way.

The tournament welcomed three divisions of players:

  • U15 Boys featured 2 teams from DJSS and 1 from Fort Smith
  • U15 Girls included 2 DJSS teams, 1 from Fort Smith, and 1 from Chief Sunrise
  • U19 Co-ed brought a creative twist with mixed teams from Hay River and Fort Smith named the Oilers, Leafs, and Jets!

One highlight: the DJSS Panthers U15 Girls team, which proudly included six École Boréale players, showing the power of collaboration across schools.

Despite the tight timeline, everything ran smoothly thanks to the quick work of volunteers and school staff who pulled it all together. The players were grateful, the competition was lively, and the weekend was packed with smiles, goals, and good energy.

Adding even more spirit were some adorable fans from the Hay River After School Club, who showed up with handmade signs and big voices to cheer on their favourite teams. It was a perfect reminder that sport is about more than competition—it’s about connection, community, and joy.

Thank you to everyone who made this tournament happen, your efforts made a lasting difference.