There’s a moment in every young athlete’s journey, that first step into the gym, the echo of the whistle, the shared nerves on the bench. For youth across the Northwest Territories, Spike It Junior 2025 was that moment.

From the first serve to the final cheer, Spike It Junior was more than just a volleyball tournament. It was a celebration of movement, friendship, and belonging. You could see it in the synchronized cheers, the nervous laughter between points, and the erupting joy after a hard-fought win.

The Results Are In

Grade 6 Boys
🥇 Gold – École St. Joseph School
🥈 Silver – École William McDonald School

Grade 6 Girls
🥇 Gold – Weledeh Catholic School
🥈 Silver – École St. Joseph School

Grade 7 Boys
🥇 Gold – École William McDonald School
🥈 Silver – École William McDonald School

Grade 7 Girls
🥇 Gold – École St. Joseph School
🥈 Silver – Weledeh Catholic School

Grade 8 Boys
🥇 Gold – École William McDonald School
🥈 Silver – École St. Patrick High School

Grade 8 Girls
🥇 Gold – École William McDonald School
🥈 Silver – École St. Patrick High School

Behind every medal was a story, of early morning practices, school spirit, new friendships, and teams that grew stronger with every match.

More Than Just Games

Our favorite memories weren’t just about volleyball. They were about belonging. Spike It Junior was bursting with moments worth remembering:

• Handwritten signs and painted faces in the bleachers
• Kindness Wall notes that reminded us all that respect and encouragement matter just as much as wins and losses
• And the moment when a team realized they were heading to the finals, arms raised, joy uncontained.

Youth Behind the Lens

Another standout element this year was the presence of our Youth Photographers, who documented the event through their own lens. Capturing everything from dramatic spikes to quiet team huddles, they helped us see the event not just as adults, but through the eyes of those experiencing it for the first time. An article spotlighting their work will be shared later this week.

A Big Thank You

To the athletes, coaches, volunteers, fans, and school staff, thank you. Your energy lit up the gym. Your encouragement lifted others. Your presence made Spike It Junior a tournament to remember. And now, with the same spirit, we look ahead to Spike It Senior, and one step closer to the 2026 Arctic Winter Games. Because these are not just games. These are the stories that shape our youth.