Ringette lets youth build skills and friendships on ice
Over 30 years ago, Marlene Connell started a youth ringette association in the Valley out of a desire to create an ice sporting opportunity for girls besides figure skating. Today, it’s still going strong and Connell continues to run it. So what is ringette? Ringette was created in Canada. According to Ringette Nova Scotia, it is a fast-paced team sport played on ice. Players use a straight stick to pass, carry and shoot a rubber ring to score goals. Originally introduced as a game for girls, the sport has developed into something played by both males and females.
Currently, the only youth ringette team in the Valley is the Berwick and District Ringette Association. Players come as far as Canning to Kingston just to play.
Players can start in the ringette learnto-skate program, as young as three or four years of age, says Connell. They begin playing actual games when they are about seven or eight years old.
Brooke Pineo, 11, from Berwick, started playing ringette when she was four years old through the Bunnies skating skills program. She was able to start playing games when she was five.
Pineo’s mom, Lisa Steadman, says it was like carrying on a family tradition. “Both my sisters played here in Berwick,” she says.
Besides learning a new sport, ringette provides great learning opportunities for youth. “I believe ringette has taught me more skills than I will ever know,” says Acadia student Emily Peck from Ontario, who started playing when she was five.
Peck says she learned discipline, team spirit, co-operation and to have fun by playing with teammates of different ages and backgrounds.
Connell also says through this ice sport, youth learn how to think on their feet, improve their skating skills, increase eye-hand co-ordination and learn team fundamentals.
“Having fun while being active and building friendships are a big part of the sport,” says Connell.
Steadman says through ringette, youth get a workout to keep them active and healthy, while learning to play as a team and building friendships.
“It is all about having fun and not focusing on it being a competitive game,” says Steadman.
Ringette also serves as an alternative for females who may not want to follow the co-ed hockey route. Through ringette, says Peck, players can develop some essential life skills and parents can engage and connect with their kids.
Not sure what ringette is all about or want to give it a try before signing up? Every September in Berwick, the association holds a “Come Try Ringette” session at the Apple Dome.
Registration is online and usually begins in August through the Ringette Nova Scotia website. Connell says people can register for the learn-to-skate program at any time throughout the season.
For more information, visit Ringette Nova Scotia, or phone Connell at 902538-8448.
You might just fall in love with a new sport, as Brooke Pineo did.
“I love playing ringette because I shoot, pass and skate really fast! I also like being part of a team with my friends.”
Laura Churchill Duke (www.valleyfamilyfun.ca) worked with Ringette Nova Scotia during her public relations degree to help create a communication plan for the sport!