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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
The Comeback of Boys’ Competitive Gymnastics in Yukon
For the first time in 15 years, boys in Yukon once again have the opportunity to participate in a competitive gymnastics program. The revival of this program is the result of finding a skilled coach and a renewed commitment from the local athletics community.
The Challenge: Finding the Right Coach
According to Kim Jones, executive director of the Polarettes gymnastics club in Whitehorse, the main hurdle wasn’t a lack of interest. Instead, it was the difficulty in finding a suitable coach with the expertise required for men’s artistic gymnastics. “Men's artistic gymnastics is a brand, it's a completely different sport, so it requires different courses for staff training. So it's not quite as easy as to say, 'let's offer it tomorrow,'” explained Jones.
Jones noted that adequate space in their facility and the desire to ensure the longevity of the program were also key considerations. "We really needed the right coach and enough space to be able to offer this program more appropriately. We didn't want to restart it and then have it die because a coach left."
Coach John Hall Takes the Lead
This year, John Hall stepped into the role of head coach for the new program. Hall’s connection to Yukon began when he visited Whitehorse during the Western Canadian Artistic Gymnastics Championships as a coach with a team from Alberta. Upon hearing that Yukon was considering restarting its men's program, Hall saw a unique opportunity.
"In Calgary, the market is pretty saturated for men's gymnastics," Hall said. The lure of shaping his own program and the newly opened state-of-the-art gymnastics facility in Whitehorse drew Hall north. Hall's background includes two decades of coaching experience, a medal at the 2007 Canada Winter Games hosted in Whitehorse, and time as a member of Canada’s national team.
Community Excitement and New Generations
The return of the boys’ program has generated enthusiasm from both athletes and families. Arthur Mauro, president of the Yukon Gymnastics Association, previously competed and coached men’s gymnastics in the territory. For Mauro, the program’s comeback offers his five-year-old son Aldrich—and other young athletes—a chance to pursue gymnastics competitively.
"It's awesome," Mauro remarked. "I think it's really crucial to have that here, and to have more sporting opportunities in the Yukon, period. To see that specific program start back up and exist for the next generation is a very big deal." His son Aldrich, now enrolled in the program, shares in the excitement: "At the end of the day if we do a really good job we get golden pirate coins," Aldrich said.
Looking Forward: Building the Future of Yukon Gymnastics
With the program reestablished, John Hall expressed hopes that these young Yukon athletes might one day reach the national level. As the boys learn and improve under Hall’s guidance, the foundations are being laid for the potential return of Yukon’s presence on the larger Canadian gymnastics stage.
About the Author
George Maratos is an award-winning current affairs reporter at CBC Yukon, with more than a decade of experience covering stories from the North.
Source: cbc.ca.
