Fair Play Pin Recipients

March 14, 2026

Throughout the Arctic Winter Games (AWG), Fair Play Pins have been awarded to athletes, coaches, officials and others from all contingents that strive towards the Games objectives of fair play and team spirit.

International Committee members, Host Society Board members, Officials, Chef de Mission and Mission Staff have awarded the pins throughout the tournament. Special guest Gary Brennan was even awarded one for sharing a scarf and hot paws with two elders who were cold during the opening ceremony.

Another pin winner was volunteer Dimas Mateo Sotil. This was meant to be Dimas’ AWG debut but he unfortunately suffered an injury a week before the tournament and had to withdraw from Team Yukon’s roster. In spite of this, he spent every day at St Francis volunteering and cheering on his teammates. He was awarded the pin for being a positive and supportive presence and maintaining a great attitude despite not being able to compete.

Many stories of coaches and participants helping and supporting their opponents have spread around in all the competition locations. The camaraderie of these individuals is inspiring and the attitude of “us vs the task” rather than “us vs each other” is something rarely seen at other sporting events. This was particularly prevalent with the Arctic sports as many competitors and coaches would offer tips and advice to their rivals who had just failed an attempt. One such individual was Byron Kotokak, who would often be seen coaching not just his fellow Team NT participants but anyone who needed some extra support or advice. Byron along with Minik Poulsen, Finn Morely, Augustin Greetham, Rebecca Pol, Jaelynn Kennon and Madison Heighington are some of the participants and coaches who won pins for supporting not only their team, but their opponents too.

As well as supporting opponents, some participants won pins for their courtesy and support towards the officials. This includes Emily King who showed grace and class after being mistakenly told she had broken an AWG record, and Kara Mclean who corrected an official despite the call being in her favour.

Other receipents include:

Volunteer Lisa Preto
Host Society Staff Jeff Cressman
Volunteer Jon Cameron
Participant Curtis John Taleritok
Participant Al Johnny Catholique
Technical Official Gordon Reed
Coach Lucas Williams
Participant Minik Poulsen
Participant Kathleen Cai
Participant Jacky Lin
Participant Kara Mclean
Volunteer Brian Bell
Participant Emily King
Spectator Gary Brennan
Special Guest Coach Finn Morely
Participant Augustin Greetham
Coach Robert Sibbeston
Participant Rebecca Pol
Participant Aiden Kay
Participant Jaelynn Kennon-#3 Team Alaska
Participant Jasper Charlie
Participant Robert Bonis
Volunteer Kathleen McDade
Coach Kylie Ibias - Team Alaska Girls Basketball
Team Manager/ChaperoneT ommy Putulik
Participant Sarali Angnatuk
Participant Madison heighington
Coach Chelsea Dubiel
Participant Chelsea Panika
Participant Team Sampi Culture - Mahtte, Majkare, and Matias
Participant Wren Spangler
Participant Blake Parker
Volunteer Dimas Mateo Sotil
Participant Benjamin Reardon
Participant Braedon McCubrey
Participant Shenika Yamada
VolunteerJeff Cressman
Participant Daniel Rodgers
Spectator Noah Mølgaard
Participant Journey Jennifer Johnson Bergman
Participant Aj catholique
Participant Molly Milner
Participant Logan Tirschmann
Participant, CoachTeam Alaska
Participant Meliya Allain
ParticipantJasper Willkomm
Volunteer Thorsten Gohl
Participant Fisher Miller
Participant Qarsoq Møller
Participant Fisher Miller
Participant Daniel Whippo
Host Society Staff Jeff Cressman
Participant Isaac Hoffman
Volunteer Whistlebend Elementary School Custodial Staff
Participant Ava Ahegona
Participant Lars jeremiassen
ParticipantAlex Covey
Participant Inuuteq Josefsen
Technical Official Candace Boechler
Participant Uilu Jakobsen
Coach Tyren kisoun
Participant Anja Beckes
Participant Mia Pitseolak
Participant Grady Johnson
Participant Riley Sue Baker
Volunteer, Host Society Staff Patel yagnesh
Technical Official Gena Gouniavyi
Volunteer Jeff Cressman
Coach Cheryl Jobson & Tania Miller-Sauve
Participant Maura gallant
Participant Colby Courtoreille
Participant Team Nunavut girls team
Coach Michael Morgan
Participant Devon Kowcharlie
Participant Taiga Buurman
Participant Abraham Temel
Technical Official Maliina Junge Jørgensen
Host Society Staff Claire Ness
Volunteer Mario Mamis
Volunteer Colin McCan
Participant Lucassie Thomassiah -Partridge
Coach Finn Marley
Coach Don White
Coach Maryam Ilgun
Participant Taiga Buurman
Participant Bertha Annanack
Participant Hannah-Mae Annanack
VolunteerPorter Creek Venue Lead Volunteers
Participant Jay Bretana
Participant Micah Rozell
Volunteer Hannah Roth
Participant, Coach Byron kotokak
Host Society Staff Jenny imbeau
Host Society Staff Janna Tait
Participant Isaac Hoffmann
Participant Christopher Pat
Host Society Staff Jake Hansen CGC ice maker and staff
Manager/Chaperone Tyler Richard
Volunteer Brenda Pilatzke-Vanier
Participant Teagan Michelin and Brooklyn Wolfrey-Allen
Participant Mahtte Eira
Coach Monique Hommy
Participant Jaaji (George) Johannes
Participant Vanessa Song
Coach Matt dodd Nunavut coach
Participant Qaaqa Josefson
Participant Carla Kleist and Bruno Nathansen
Participant Daniel hu
Spectator Air North staff
Spectator Dinesh

Click here for a full list of recipients and their stories.

Written by A.J Smith

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