When Team NT marches in to the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska, in March, they’ll do so wearing some familiar-looking colours.
The official uniform for the team was officially unveiled at the Multiplex on Wednesday in conjunction with Bell Let’s Talk Day, which is designed to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. It’s a three-piece outfit with a navy blue outer shell jacket, teal pants and a teal puffer inner layer.
Three athletes making the journey west were on hand to act as models: Willow Whitehead of the girls hockey team, River Whitehead of the U18 boys hockey team and snowboarder Kade Hysert.
Hysert said he liked the look of the uniform, but preferred to wear it outside.
“It’s very hot inside wearing it, but it’s good,” he said. “I like the pants — I just like snowpants in general.”
Hysert will be going to the games for the first time and he said the excitement is beginning to build now that he knows he’ll be on the plane.
“It’s pretty high,” he said. “I’ve heard a few people say that they’ve slept in a school gym, but they’ve said it’s the best experience they’ve had and it was really fun. I just want to go snowboarding and do well.”
Whitney Weaver, Sport North’s communications officer, also spoke at the event and said teaming up with Bell Let’s Talk made perfect sense.
“We firmly believe that the mental health of our athletes is just as important as their physical health,” she said. “We recognize that the pressures of competition can take a toll on an athlete’s mental state and it’s important for us to provide resources to athletes, coaches and volunteers.”
The games are scheduled to take place from March 10 to 16. The NWT will be one of eight contingents competing along with Alaska, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik, Alberta North, Greenland and Sapmi from northern Scandinavia.