About the Game

The Game

Ringette is a Canadian game. Invented in 1963 by the late Sam Jacks, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of North Bay, Ontario and Red McCarthy of Espanola. It is a unique winter team sport played on ice, similar to floor hockey - but different in many ways.

Ringette is now being played by 60,000 girls and boys across Canada, and in over 30 countries around the world. It is also played in several states in the USA. Our sport is growing overseas too. In such countries as Finland, France, Germany, Sweden, and Russia. The first World Championships were held in Canada in 1990, followed by Finland (1992), and St, Paul , Minnesota (1994). Ringette has been included in the Canada Winter Games since 1991 and the BC Winter Games since 1990.

Ringette can be played on any outdoor or indoor surface, suitable for ice hockey. Teams can consist of 7 to 18 players, with six on the ice at one time. This includes a goaltender (who uses a hockey goalie stick), two defence, two forwards and a centre. Players wear a full hockey uniform and a special ringette cage. The uniform can consist of long tapered pants or hockey pants and stockings, and a team jersey. A straight tapered stick is used to pass, carry and shoot a round rubber ring, with the object of the game being to pass to other team players and to score goals. There can be no intentional body contact. The game is kept fast-moving and wide-open because a maximum of 3 skaters from each team are permitted in the restricted area bound by the free play line and end boards in each end zone. The rink markings are essentially the same as ice hockey, with the addition of the free play line at the top of the end free pass circles. These take the place of face-off circles. For protection, the goalie is the only player allowed in the 8-ft. semi-circle goal crease.

Ringette Philosophy

Ringette is a mass participation sport, which encourages the physical, mental, social, and moral developments of individual participants within the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship personal excellence, and enjoyment.

Age Groups

Division	Age before Dec 31/12
U9	Ages 5 to 7 years, born prior to 2005
U10	Ages 8 to 9 years, born 2003-2004
U12	Ages 10 - 11 years, born 2001 - 2002
U14	Ages 12 - 13, born 1999 - 2000
U16	Ages 14 - 15, born 1997 - 1998
U19	Ages 16 - 18, born 1994 - 1996
+18	Ages 18 and older, born prior to 1993

Fee: Range from $235.00 - 485.00 for Returning players
$275.00 - 350.00 for first year players in all age groups

Equipment

BNQ approved neck guards
CSA approved helmet and face mask
CSA approved ringette stick
Shoulder pads
Padded gloves
Elbow and knee pads
Protective girdles and pelvic protection
Hockey skates
Hockey stick, chest and knee pads for goalies

Basic Rules

No intentional body contact
The ring must be passed over the blue lines
A goaltender may be pulled in last 2 minutes of play
Only the goaltender is allowed in the goal crease
Two referees are on the ice during the game
The coaching staff must include a female member of 19 years or older on the players bench

Ringette Associations

Ringette is over 20 years old in Kelowna and continues to grow! The Association is operated by a dedicated 20+ Board of Directors who were honored for their efforts by BC Ringette Association, which named Kelowna the Association of the Year in British Columbia 1998-1999.

Kelowna is host to the annual Sweetheart Tournament in February. Last year, over 90 teams from all over B.C. and Alberta competed. The Sweetheart has a reputation for being the best Ringette tournament in the province for the fun and level of competition. Each of our teams plays in the event free of charge. It is a huge undertaking and the success is due to the volunteer force that works so diligently behind the scenes. (Be a part of it!!!)

Kelowna Ringette will also offer power skating and goaltending clinics all season long as well as player and coaching development clinics as we continue to improve every aspect of the game.

How Is Ringette Played?

The playing area is an ice rink of the type used for ice hockey.

The main ring markings are the two blue lines, two extended red lines, the five face-off circles (called free pass circles), and an eight-foot half circle in the front of the goal net.

Contact Information

President: Debby Wuthrich dmwrich@yahoo.ca