Laurell Graf has continually displayed an ongoing dedication to sport in capacity of coach, official and administrator. Graf played an instrumental role and was a pioneer for women in coaching in both the Northwest Territories and Canada. She has served as an inspirational influence to her athletes and peers.

Graf’s success comes from her accomplishments in all three categories of coaching, official and administrator. Graf is a NCCP Certified Level III Badminton Coach, a NCCP Certified Level I Technical Course Conductor and a Provincial Level Badminton Official. On top of all this, Graf participated as an athlete at the Arctic Winter Games starting in the 70’s, with her last showing at the 2002 Arctic Winter Games. Even after her tenure in the Northwest Territories, she is involved in a local pickle ball group and continues to enjoy golf in Arizona and here in the NWT.

Laurell Graf has been recognized territorially. She received the 2001 Sport North Federation Ruth Inch Contributor to Sport Award and the 2010 Sport North Federation Dennis Crane Official of the Year Award.

Coaching Accomplishments

• NCCP Certified Level III Badminton – Only woman in the NWT to have Level III Certification
• NCCP Certified Level I Badminton Technical Course Conductor
• 1995-1997 Coach of the Badminton NT High performance Team
• 1986 Coach of Team NWT Junior Women’s Volleyball Team at Arctic Winter Games
• 1983 & 2007 Coach of Team NWT Badminton team at the Canada Winter Games
• 1995 & 2003 Coach of Team NWT Badminton team at the Western Canada Summer Games
• 1998, 2000, 2002 & 2006 Coach of Team NWT Badminton at the Arctic Winter Games
• 27 years of coaching

Officiating Accomplishments

• Provincial Level Badminton Official
• 1995 Commonwealth Games – Officials Coordinator
• 1996, 2004, 2010 & 2012 Arctic Winter Games – Badminton Official
• 2008 Arctic Winter Games – Games Coordinator
• 2010 Sport North Federation Dennis Crane Memorial Official of the Year recipient
• 2012 Arctic Winter Games – Games and Match Coordinator

Administrator

• 1982-2007 Fort Smith Badminton Club & Yellowknife Badminton Club Board of Directors
• 1988-2007 Badminton NT – Board of Directors
• 1991-1994 Badminton Canada – Board of Directors
• 1992-1994 Sport North Federation – Board of Directors
• 2001 Sport North Federation Ruth Inch Memorial Contributor to Sport recipient

Athlete

• 1968-2003 Fastball
• 1970 Arctic Winter Games – Figure Skating
• 1982, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2002 Arctic Winter Games – Badminton
• 1967-2007 NWT Badminton Championships (winning a medal every year)