NT School Sports is about more than competition, it is about connection, belonging, and giving students opportunities to grow through movement. At the heart of this mission is Executive Director Andrew Gilmour, now in his second full year with the association.
Andrew has been in this role for almost two years. Before joining NT School Sports, he worked with YK1 at NJ Macpherson in Yellowknife and before that managed a sport facility in Kingston, Ontario. When this position became available, it felt like the perfect fit, combining his love of sport, coaching, and community building.
One moment that stands out for him happened when he travelled into a community to teach archery in the schools. At first, attendance was low, but as the week went on more and more students started showing up. The excitement of a sport event had brought the community together, and that experience opened his eyes to the power of school sport. “I believe school sports is one of the reasons students continue coming to school,” he says. “It’s a great motivator to see these students make it to graduation, and it’s also an opportunity for them to build stronger relationships and create new experiences.”
Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, Andrew is focused on several new initiatives, including the launch of a refreshed logo and identity, stronger governance through sanctioning, bylaws, and policies, and new processes for registration and support for community-run events. He is excited to see how these changes come together and eager for feedback on how to keep improving.
Of course, the role comes with challenges, and the biggest has been understanding the diverse needs of schools and communities across the NWT. Listening and learning from educators has been key in steering the direction of NT School Sports. There have also been rewarding highlights, such as watching Fort Good Hope attend the Table Tennis Championships and leave with a banner, a moment that showed how powerful school sport can be in bringing people together.
For Andrew, the best part of his role is the relationships. “I’m a strong believer in continued growth, learning from every event and every person who is involved,” he explains. “To do this we need to build relationships that make sure everyone is comfortable sharing their experiences. That’s what I enjoy most.”
As new systems roll out, Andrew feels optimistic. He believes that great things are on the horizon, supported by the coaches, volunteers, teachers, and students who bring NT School Sports to life. His story reminds us that school sport is not just about games, it is about opportunity, growth, and belonging, and under his leadership NT School Sports continues to move forward, rooted in community and driven by purpose.
