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Robin Mercer-Sproule, a storied and accomplished Northern athlete, passes away

Robin Mercer-Sproule, an accomplished multi-sport athlete and NWT sport hall of famer who garnered countless accolades and awards over her decades-long career in the North and across Canada, has died following a lengthy battle with cancer. 

She had been fighting breast cancer since 2011. 

Robin Mercer-Sproule, left, raises her hand raised triumphantly with Alfred Moses, then-minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, after she was inducted into the athletes category of the NWT Sport Hall of Fame at the Explorer Hotel on Nov. 23, 2018. NNSL file photo
Robin Mercer-Sproule, left, raises her hand raised triumphantly with Alfred Moses, then-minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, after she was inducted into the athletes category of the NWT Sport Hall of Fame at the Explorer Hotel on Nov. 23, 2018. NNSL file photo

As a young aspiring athlete, she emerged as a talented figure skater at the Arctic Winter Games in 1976. 

She was 11-years-old.

It was only the beginning. 

Figure skating was just one of the many sports Mercer-Sproule picked up and excelled in. 

Following her foray into Yellowknife’s sports world, Mercer-Sproule participated in every Arctic Winter Games up until 1998.

Mercer-Sproule was inducted into the NWT Sport Hall of Fame in 2018. 

Mercer-Sproule made strides in hockey, broomball, volleyball, baseball and softball. 

She is also the recipient of the Sport North Mary Beth Miller Senior Athlete Award. 

Over the years, Mercer-Sproule was outspoken about her fight against breast cancer. 

In 2018, a GoFundMe campaign, helmed by Mercer-Sproule’s wife Traci, sought to raise money for medical treatment - her cancer returned. 

The initiative raised almost $16,000. 

Now, following Mercer-Sproule’s passing, Traci is asking NWT residents to help fulfill her late wife’s last wishes - to strengthen Stanton Territorial Hospital’s chemotherapy unit. 

Calling Mercer-Sproule a “courageous, beautiful and incredibly strong wife,” in a public Facebook post, Traci said her late partner had long been passionate about raising awareness about breast cancer. 

“One of her last wishes is to raise awareness about breast cancer and to contribute to improving patient care at Stanton Territorial Hospital chemotherapy unit. In particular, patients comfort while receiving care is something that Robin Mercer-Sproule holds dear to her heart,” wrote Traci. 

“It is my hope that we can collectively help to fulfill Robin’s wish.” 

Traci included a recent YouTube video documenting Mercer-Sproule's battle.

For a full list of Mercer-Sproule’s accomplishments, visit Sport North here: 

More to come.