Ringettes honour memory of teammate
Members of Calgary’s ringette community are speaking out against impaired driving while honouring the memory of Meghan Bomford, the young athlete killed in a fatal crash last October.
On Oct. 18, Bomford was killed after a vehicle driven by her father Shaun Bomford lost control between 68th Street and 52nd Street N.E. and rolled across the eastbound lanes. Meghan’s father and friend Kelsey Nelson were taken to hospital in life-threatening condition and Meghan died from her injuries.
Police say speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash but no charges have been laid.
“I still don’t think I still absorbed the fact that she’s never coming home again,” Meghan’s mother Lisa Bomford said. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
Meghan’s ringette team, the U19 NW Grit, are playing in the 31st annual Esso Golden Ring ringette tournament starting on Friday. Team manager Lorry Dorren said the team are dedicating their games in the tournament to Meghan’s memory.
“Those girls are like family to me, I’m not surprised,” Lisa said of the team dedicating their games to her daughter. “Meghan lived and breathed ringette, so just having Meghan there in spirit and mentioning her, it means she’s there still.”
Lisa said the fatal collision happened a short time after the team chose their team name of Grit and there was even talk of disbanding the team after the girls learned of Meghan’s death. Dorren said the tragic crash affected all the girls on Megan’s team but the girls soldiered on in her memory.
“The struggle was immense for these girls,” Dorren said, adding Nelson was unable to play after the accident because her injuries were so severe. “To play In Meghan’s honour is just what the girls do ... I’m sure every time they step on the ice they play for Meghan.”
Nelson, who is now out of hospital, attended the tournament carrying Meghan’s pink gloves she used to wear while playing the game she loved.
Lisa’s friend Christina Owczarek designed a pair of leggings inspired by Meghan’s favourite flower and favourite quote through Owczarek’s clothing company Panda-8 Apparel.
Partnering with MADD Canada, “Daisies for Meg” leggings will be available in the coming weeks and $5 from every pair sold will be donated to MADD to fund help community awareness and support services.
“It only seems natural and right to be able give back, especially to those who might be in harder circumstances than yourself,” Owczarek said.
Lisa said she has been amazed by the support from the ringette community and through MADD Canada’s Victim/Survivor Services. Lisa hopes sharing Meghan’s story and raising funds for MADD through the Daisies for Meg “will help prevent more impaired driving needless deaths.”
“We have taxis, we have Keys Please, there’s no reason why you should be getting in a vehicle and taking that risk.”