Team NT’s athletes depart for Canada Games in Newfoundland

Nearly 130 athletes and 51 support staff are heading to Newfoundland and Labrador to represent Team NT at the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

The team is roughly twice the size of the one that travelled to Niagara for the 2022 edition of the Games, helped by extra representation in some team sports.

For example, the NWT has qualified both male and female teams this time in soccer and indoor volleyball, whereas just one team travelled to Ontario for each of those sports.

A wrestling team that features athletes from Gamètì and Ulukhaktok is also heading to St John’s to represent the territory, as are two basketball teams and a 20-strong track and field squad.

There are four tennis players, male and female beach volleyball pairings and 11 swimmers, including Tony Shi, who will carry the territory’s flag at Saturday’s opening ceremony.

The first week’s athletes, coaches, managers and volunteers are making their way from the NWT to Newfoundland via charter flight on Friday.

One dog is also on board: swim coach Jane Mooney’s mobility support dog, Goliath.

Aside from a few individuals, most competitors at the Canada Games will be in St John’s for only the first or the second week, with flights at the halfway mark to switch athletes in and out.

Sporting action begins for Team NT at 10:30am local time on Sunday with the first women’s beach volleyball contest. St John’s is three and a half hours ahead of the NWT, meaning it’s a 7am start back home if you want to watch online – bookmark this page to find live streams from all the sports.

Week one sports featuring Team NT from August 10-16 are beach volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming and men’s soccer.

Week two sports featuring Team NT from August 18-24 are indoor volleyball, track and field, women’s soccer and wrestling.

Though not every athlete’s hometown is listed in the Canada Games’ database, the available records show at least five members of Team NT are from Fort Smith, six from Inuvik, nine from Hay River and 72 from Yellowknife.

One athlete is listed as attending from each of Gamètì, Norman Wells and Łútsël K’é. At least two athletes are travelling from each of Tulita and Ulukhaktok.

From 2023: How representative are teams at the Canada Games?

In a news release, the NWT government – which provides financial backing to Team NT and sports governing bodies in the territory – thanked the “countless volunteers” who have prepared the team for the weeks ahead.

The territory noted that members of its Youth Ambassadors program will also be in St John’s.

“This program provides youth with a structured and guided volunteer experience at major events, helping them build life and job skills, confidence, and leadership,” the GNWT stated.

Thirteen youth aged 16 to 18 from eight communities across the NWT will be volunteering with Canada Games organizers as part of the initiative.

“These young leaders deserve recognition for embracing this opportunity to grow and contribute meaningfully to the Games,” the GNWT added.

Cabin Radio will be in St John’s throughout the Canada Games. Follow updates at cabinradio.ca as well as on the air from 10am-12pm MT each weekday, August 11-22. You’ll find photos, video and more updates on Team NT’s Facebook and Instagram channels.

Team NT in full

Names are shown as they are spelled by organizers.

Basketball – female
Ella Skauge
Giane Salem
Janescy Brown
Kahlehmia Cazon
Kaylie Locke-Setter
Leora Simms
Lexi Blandford
Mia Locke-Setter
Nico Morin
Saia Brown
Sydney Galusha
Talya Meserah-Zdyb

Coaching staff and team management
Richelle Castillo
Scott Green
Tina Locke-Setter
Aaron Wells

Basketball – male
Adam Mourtada
Arthur Mupedziswa
Chimzigam Korie
Jack Bragg
Jordin Stroeder
Leo Debogorski
Owen Balmer
Rex Turner
Sean Komuhangi
Trenton Mackay
Tyson Hernandez
Zachary Mathison

Coaching staff and team management
Jose Esteban
Mark Matheson
Nick Jones

Beach volleyball – female
Emily Carroll
Tamara Mathison

Coach
Jeannie Mathison

Beach volleyball – male
Christopher Mathison
Sean Grandjambe

Coach
Mike Mathison

Soccer – female
Aima Tabbaa
Akem Dzemua
Annabella Churchill
Araliya Fox
Ayanna Darku
Bea Henry
Daphnee Babiuk
Emily Neglak-Voss
Giselle Deans
Kaiah Carter
Lacey Furniss
Liliana Marrai
Luna Escandon
Noa Jackson Grau
Orlee Duru
Ruth MacKay
Yasmine Angeles

Coaching staff and team management
Gina Williams
Tonya Huck
Tanya Kearney

Soccer – male
Ashton Mclean
Gabe Handy
Jack Fox
Jay Mapuvire
Jean Garceau
Joe Cox
Khaled Alhajjy
Kingston Torindo
Kupa Makumbe
Lucas Pedersen
Matthew Peck
Mo Alhajjy
Nattan Stefanos
Quade Simms
Raymond Chiasson
Saleem Amier Suliman
Seiya McEachern
Solomon Berhe

Coaching staff and team management
Dillon Torindo
Isaac Ayiku
Bronwyn Rutherford-Simon
Knox Makumbe

Swimming
Elliott Fast
Hallie Scarfe
Ignat Tarskii
Josie Henry
Kole Lizotte
Louisa Henry
Luke Bui
Spencer Nelson
Sula Ray
Tony Shi
Victor Lumacad

Coaching staff and team management
Jane Mooney
Kelvin Yee
Rachel Yee

Tennis
Anna Curran
Logan Doll
Orlee Duru
Will Kanigan

Coaching staff and team management
Tamara Jovic
Nikhilesh Gohil

Track and field
Ava Maurice
Hudson Shymko
Kowen Modeste
Sebastien Kikoak
Khaled Abouelnaga
Declan Munro
Rylie Beck
Kaleb Picek
Kohl McDonald
Kolsen Church
Malakai Keegan-Drennan
Solenn Kikoak
Alexander Fast
Devon Frise
Luke Dizon
Malachi Morin
Nolan Dusome
Desiree Breitbach
Joe Depew
Karter Carson

Coaching staff and team management
Holly Jones
John McCart
Kenzie MacDonald
Bruce Jones

Volleyball – female
Andrea Geraghty
Avaia Ashton
Destiny Ayah
Emily Hutchings
Hailey Young
Keira Coakwell
Mackenzie Schwartz
Megan Smallwood
Ofira Duru
Oleta Duru
Rylee Robillard
Selena Hernandez

Coaching staff and team management
Reilly Hinchey
Oliver McSwain
Melanie Thompson

Volleyball – male
Aiden Widow
Anthony Smith
Caleb Swan
Cooper Jenks
Erik Manuel
Jake Steinwand
Joel Catholique
Leland Daniels
Louis King
Theron Mabbitt
Trey Currie
Trey Wallington

Coaching staff and team management
Brandon Thompson
Dave Heron
Kim Mabbitt
Heather Coakwell

Wrestling
Alison Kuneluk
Corbin Alonak
Emma Pedersen
Hannah Bekale
Hunter Kitekudlak
Mason Alanak
Tessa Nendsa

Coaching staff and team management
Jacob Klengenberg
Monique Smith
Finnlay Rutherford-Simon

Team NT mission staff
Alexander Brodeur
Carson Roche
Cassandra Mooney
Colin Pybus
Damon Crossman
Gail Christie
Greta Sittichinli
Jeffrey Watson
Kiah Vail
Lexie Letzing
Ollie Williams
Rita Mercredi
Scott Clouthier
Shari Olsen
Sheryl Courtoreille
Val Gendron

Editor’s note: The author of this article is also serving as Team NT’s volunteer media liaison for the 2025 Canada Games.