NNSL (DEC 18/96) - If Chris Bergman is half as successful as director of the Sport North Federation as he is in producing elite athletes, the NWT is in good hands.

Bergman was appointed the federation's director two weeks ago. Although he was a standout athlete and tireless sports volunteer, many know Bergman as the father of Peter, Jennifer and Kimberley -- elite Northern athletes all.

Jennifer, 19, and Kimberley, 16, have represented the North at the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Games in basketball and speed skating, respectively. Eighteen-year-old Peter, of course, is a member of the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen and property of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bergman, a staff sergeant with the Yellowknife RCMP, is retiring from the force after 28 years of service to assume the new position in January.

Born in Holland, the 50-year-old was raised in Calgary but has spent most of his life stationed in Northern outposts such as Pond Inlet, Fort Smith, Fort Good Hope, Fort McPherson and Aklavik, as well as Inuvik.

Bergman says his mandate is to make the Sport North office -- located in the Centre Square Mall -- more accessible to those involved in sport.

"Our office should be a fun place. I want to open our doors and get the word out through the media or whatever methods necessary. I want to make Sport North people-oriented," he says.

Bergman says he leaves the RCMP with no regrets -- it was simply the right time to move on. He says he's thankful that he's able to pursue a new career that has always interested him.

"My application was a shot in the dark. When I got it I was surprised, shocked and humbled and excited."

Bergman beat out some 70 other applicants for the position. Jean Hinton, president of the Sport North board of directors had a simple explanation for selecting Bergman.

"He was outstanding. That's it."

As Sport North director, Bergman is responsible for supervision and development of all programs and activities of the Federation. He is succeeding Dave Hurley, Sport North's first director, who held the position for 17 years. Bergman is aware that it will be difficult to replace such a pillar of Northern sports.

"If I can achieve half as much as Dave did during his term I'd be a very happy man," he says.

Bergman admits he'll be counting heavily on the support of other Sport North executives.

"There's some great people in there," he says.

"I'll be relying on all their expertise. I've guaranteed them two things -- that I'll work hard and make mistakes -- I'm going to jump in with two feet."