I've always been proud to call myself a Yukoner, even though I wasn't actually born here, just raised.

After all, the Yukon has so many attributes to be proud of the mountains, the lakes, the rivers, the wildlife and the unbelievable hospitality, just to name a few. But when I was growing up (that's assuming I'm a grown up now ñ� I'm being generous today) here, athletics wasn't exactly at the top of the list when it came to the territory's pride.

That's not to say that any athlete who sets foot in competition shouldn't be proud, or that we as a territory shouldn't be proud of everyone, but quite honestly, Yukon athletes were almost expected to fail when they hit the provincial or national stage. They just didn't seem to stack up to their counterparts.

So imagine my surprise when, after returning to the territory and eventually taking the job as sports editor for the Star, I learned first hand that the old goals of top 30, or even top 20, finishes just weren't good enough anymore.

One of my first interviews was with then-Whitehorse Glacier Bears head coach Albert Burgund, who said in his straightforward way: too often athletes, parents and coaches, are satisfied with just finishing. When he first got here (about four years ago now), it seemed like nobody thought they could win.

In his three years with the swim club, Burgund would turn it around, breaking numerous records and helping the swimmers collect dozens of medals, on both the provincial and national stages.

And as most people know by now, the swim club is not alone. Suddenly, the Yukon isn't the guaranteed win for other teams anymore, and Yukon athletes are causing their competitors to look over their shoulder if they're not already in front of their competitors, reaching for the podium.

Within the past year alone, the territory can boast national champions in cycling, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, orienteering and cross-country skiing.

I can't even count how many people have come up to me, in the last year especially, with questions such as, 'how are Yukon athletes suddenly doing so well?', or 'a Yukon team (or athlete) actually won the gold medal?'

Yes, it does indeed seem like times are a changin'. So what exactly is behind this recent surge of athletic power within the territory is it the coaching, the volunteers, an increase in cash? Or is it really just something in the water?

'Our sport system is maturing,' said Vern Haggard, a sport consultant with the Yukon Department of Sport and Recreation, who has been involved on the local sports scene for decades. 'I think we have lots of evidence of that. And I think we're going to see that continue.'

Haggard said coaching is certainly a large factor in the territory's recent success. He believes there's a much better understanding by local sport bodies as to the value of good coaching and the need for it.

'And I think the quality of coach training programs is improving. The new system looks at the environment that the coach is in and the needs of the athletes in that particular environment.

'It's now competency-based. You need to demonstrate that you have the ability to understand the program and then apply the techniques.'

As mentioned earlier, the Glacier Bears have perhaps reaped the most benefits from an investment in better coaching. Assistant coach Kathy Zrum said the hiring of Burgund, followed by the hiring of Marek Poplawski last summer, has provided the swimmers with high-calibre coaches that are very focused on the technical aspects of the sport.

Cross-country skiing has typically been a strong sport for the Yukon, but the past two seasons have brought unprecedented results, as numbers in the local club continue to climb. Graham Nishikawa became the first male skier from the Yukon named to the national training squad this past season. Nishikawa said he, and many others, owe it all to their coach.

'We have a great program in the Yukon with Alain Masson as coach,' said Nishikawa.

'He's the most knowledgeable guy in cross-country skiing in the country. He's very well respected across Canada. I always knew he was good, but when I go out to competitions and people are talking about him ... we're really lucky to have him in the Yukon.'

And in alpine skiing, it's much the same. Young athlete Sammy Kent has won numerous awards and medals in the past couple of years and while he's now training with the Whistler ski club in B.C., he owes a lot of his success to Yukon coach Dick Eastmure, who was presented with the Dave Murray Memorial Coach of the Year award, by the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation (CSCF).

Eastmure joined a very prestigious few in receiving the national award, which was named after one of the 'Crazy Canucks,' Dave Murray, who died at 37 years of age from cancer in 1990. A lot of former recipients are national team coaches who have won numerous world medals and world cup championships.

When asked why Eastmure won the award, the director of CSCF, Pierre Ruel, said, 'Sometimes, he spends 24 hours driving in his truck just to get to a meeting down here.'

But coaching isn't the only reason for the turnaround on the local sports scene. There are a lot more opportunities for Outside trips now, with some teams taking as many as six or seven per year.

'And I think we're picking and choosing the right competition now,' said Haggard. 'Plus, we're bringing the competition here, when we host events, and that's helping us as well.'

Role models also play a huge role in sport and the Yukon has seen its fair share of excellent role models recently, many of whom return home after their stint to take on coaching duties.

Swimmer Mackenzie Downing recently finished her first year at the University of Victoria, after winning numerous national medals with the Bears. So far, Downing hasn't disappointed at the university level either far from it. She won gold in the 100-m fly, 200-m fly, 200-m free and 400-m free at the Canada West swimming championships in February, where she was also named rookie of the year. Now, she's getting set for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

'I know a lot of the kids are talking now about going to university to swim,' said Zrum. 'They see that you can be successful, so they're looking at swimming way longer-term and so, that's a bigger commitment from the kids.'

'Once you believe it's possible, it's much easier for success,' added Haggard.

Haggard also believes that officials and athletes in the territory are realizing how they can better use resources, and athletes and parents are starting to recognize the benefits of the opportunities they're being given, which means they are more willing to invest.

'We see that not only in the youth involved, but things like the road relay, the bike relay and the Yukon River Quest. A lot of people are understanding that it's fun and valuable to embrace these actions.

'There are still a lot that aren't yet, though. We still have to work very hard to increase participation levels.'

Organizations like the Whitehorse Minor Soccer Association are taking the territory by storm, with more than 1,000 participants registered in outdoor soccer for the past few years ranging in age from just four years old to 18.

The increased numbers and a better soccer program have had a domino effect on the level of skill and Outside success of the junior and men's soccer teams over the past couple of years.

In 2000, the Yukon Selects had just one goaltender, but now, there are at least five coming out to practice on a regular basis.

'I think that sort of epitomized what's happened to our competitive soccer here,' said Selects member Jake Hanson in an earlier interview. 'I don't stop to think about it very often, but when I do, it feels good. When I first came to town, it was two months before I found any soccer to be played. And now, you can play four or five nights a week. You've got teams going to Canada Games, Arctic Winter Games, nationals. It's really exciting, because there's lots of opportunities and the players each year seem to be getting better and better.'

In fact, this year's male Canada Games soccer team is being hailed as the best ever to come out of the territory.

'This team will have 17 capable players, and for a guy who's coached in the Yukon a long time, to have a bench this deep is quite something,' said head coach Spencer Rich.

That type of success is also being experienced in the Whitehorse minor hockey system, where the bantam rep team brought home the silver medal from the B.C. provincials for the first time it was the first time in 20 years that a medal of any kind had been collected by any rep hockey squad from the territory.

Many more local hockey players are also being scouted and even drafted by major junior hockey teams.

Denny Salamandyk attributed a lot of that to volunteers in the hockey community, as well as a high level of dedication and commitment from the players.

'They're hungry, they've got good parental support and the coaching over the last few years has made a difference,' said Salamandyk. 'The McGowans, the Olsons and the Bicudos, they've been just great. I don't want to leave anyone out ... all these people really had a good role in getting these kids where they need to be.'

Maybe the best news out of all of this success is that it only seems to be getting better, and all indications are that trend will continue.

'We're seeing excellent leadership in the sports system,' stated Haggard. 'We have volunteers that are hugely committed, that put tons of hours into doing the right things and creating these opportunities.

'We're moving up the ladder and we're capable of succeeding.'