A plethora of athletes and coaches showed up for a 2024 Arctic Winter Games pep rally at Shipyards Park on a chilly Friday afternoon.

Wrestling coach Jason Basnett and the wrestling team accepted the Yukon flag on wrestler Leah McLean's behalf, as the newly-named flag bearer was down south at a tournament.

"It's a huge honour, said Basnett. "Our athletes have been really training hard getting ready for this and to be out front and get to hold that flag – McCy (McLean) is such an incredible athlete. So inspiring and dedicated to all her sports and it's really great that she's honoured this way and the whole team gets to walk out front with her. So she didn't just earn that honour for herself but for all of us. It's really fantastic."

Basnett said he is "feeling good" going into the Games.

"We've been training really hard, working our techniques and our fitness and we're ready. I think we're gonna have a really good time and we've got a pretty good chance of bringing home some medals."

Wresting athlete Mikey O'Brien said he was "really proud and honoured" to carry the flag on behalf of McLean.

"This is my first time going to Arctic Winter Games and I just enjoy having it. It means a lot, representing the Yukon."

Understandably, O'Brien, 15, said he was "excited" going into the Games.

"I heard a lot of people say it was fun, so I had to go. I've been wrestling for a little bit, so I'm going to prove my skill there."

Basnett added O'Brien will be competing in his first wrestling match ever at the Arctics.

"He's been training really hard and he's really showing a lot of promise. So I'm excited to see what he does."

Men's 19U volleyball coach Jeremy Stavely said the rally was "great.

"It's good to see everybody out, the full team and there was really good energy with all the kids and stuff so it's pretty great to see."

Stavely had high praise for his team.

"They're a wonderful group of boys. They've been working really hard since December. We're pretty excited about it."

Stavely said the boys were feeling pretty optimistic about their chances for success.

"Every practice they come with tons of great energy and just really a great attitude, so I feel pretty good about it."

Stavely added, "It's a wonderful event and a wonderful atmosphere. It's just cool to be a part of."

Team Yukon chef de mission Trevor Twardochleb said he thought the rally was "awesome.

"There's reasons we do the pep rally. So everybody can get together and get in the spirit."

Twardochleb said it was important that Yukon MP Brendan Hanley and Minster of Community Services Richard Mostyn spoke at the event.

"The government puts a huge investment into these games. It's good for the kids to know that.

"We also want to get a group shot. It's super-important that we all get together and do this because we haven't been able to do that over the years. We're all so nervous and scared about getting people together, so we thought, 'We'll keep it outside and get everybody together and give them the spirit.'"

Twardochleb said it's hard to predict how the team will do at these games.

"Last year we did extremely well but every games is different, because you have more competitors now that will be there from Alaska, and they are usually the heavy hitters. Over my experience anyway, they ended up on the top of the leaderboard.

"But to me, medals aren't that important. It's about our kids going there having excellent, meaningful competition … I think in the end, the coaches will tell you their teams are ready to go, so that's what you want to hear."

Twardochleb commented that a lot of the athletes haven't competed outside the territory before.

"There's a lot of kids who've maybe never been on a flight outside of Whitehorse to compete. That's what excites me for the kids. So I see this as a developmental games, but it's an opportunity for them to get out, get experience and have that meaningful competition that could lead to some really great things."

As an example, Twardochleb pointed out that the Yukon's Winter Olympians have all come through the Arctics.

Twardochleb added, "Medals are one thing, but you've got to take the time to take everything else in."

There will be over 2,000 athletes competing in 20 sports at the Games.

They are taking place in Mat-Su/Palmer Alaska March 10 to 16.

According to Twardochleb, the Yukon will be sending up to 355 athletes, coaches and support staff.

"I think we've done a good job in preparing people, so I hope when they get there, they'll have everything that they need and it allows for great performances."