|
|
 |
University Ringette is on the Rise
Former Owen Sound Ringette player, Emily Parkin, is now playing Ringette for Brock University. Ontario Universities are following the lead from out west and Ringette teams are being formed at both the recreational and competitive levels. See the full article and photos on the MY SITE NEWS page.
Brock is One of a Number of Ontario Universities Getting into Post-Secondary Ringette
Emily Parkin, a former Owen Sound Ringette player, is in her third year at Brock University, and just this year, they started a Brock Shinny Ringette League. They have two full teams of Brock girls, and they play against local teams; Niagara Falls, Flamborough, Jordan, Hamilton, etc., two times a week.
On January 4th-7th of this year, Brock took a team of 13 players to the University Challenge Cup in Ottawa. Eight teams from 9 universities in Canada participated; University of Alberta, University of Calgary, Ottawa University, Carleton University, Trent University and University of Waterloo combined to make a team, University of Manitoba, Laurentian University and Brock University. Three teams were declined from entering because there just was not enough ice time available. This tournament has been going on since 1999, and is normally held out west, however, the next few years are probably going to be held in Ottawa, as it was very successful there this year. As of now, no university has "Varsity" status, but they are all working hard towards that, as that is the ultimate goal. Alberta, however, has a 70 game season, so they are very busy out west!
Next year at Brock, they are planning to enter an 'A' league for the year, and get their university challenge cup tournament team playing together in 'A' tournaments as well. They are also looking to get enough girls out to make at least one more team in the shinny league to have a total of 3 Brock teams. The only way for this league to go is up!
Emily feels very lucky to take part in this and to continue to play ringette while she is away at school. Until this year, Emily didnt realize that there was Ringette at the university level. Girls need to be informed that there is a future with Ringette at the post secondary level. There are more and more universities stepping up and putting forth the effort to create Ringette teams. Players heading off to university should make enquiries at their university or the Ringette Association closest to their school to see what is available in their area.
 |
University Challenge Cup 2007
Here is a link to the University Challenge Cup results web page: http://www.ringette.ca/Content/Major%20Events/UCC/UCC2007.asp?langid=1
Here is a link to Brock's picture website from the tournament: http://www.brocku.game-host.org/brocku/
Celebrating 40 Years of the Fastest Team Sport on Ice
The impulse for John Halliday and Ian Thomson to form Owen Sound's first ringette house league, in 1980, was to give their daughters an activity to play since they couldn't join hockey. Thomson researched the game through the Ringette Association of Toronto before getting in touch with John Halliday. Together they formed the league in the fall of 1980. He (Halliday) organized the ice time... he was a teacher so he got the girls and I did the background work to get it started, Thomsom told The Sun Times in November, 1999 when he and Halliday were recognized for their contributions to ringette.
In the first year of the house league, 40 girls formed two small teams that played against each other but within two or three years we had to divide them into age groups, said Thomson. Halliday said in the first couple of years, the league played games until we ran out of money and then the season was over. When we got better organized, we had more money and then set up a schedule. We went to minor hockey, and we borrowed some sweaters and equipment...and I remember us going to the firefighter and they gave us donations for some sweaters. Canadian Tire also donated equipment and along with Owen Sound Firefighters, sponsored the two early teams which consisted of players aged 6 to 18.
Ringette was invented in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario, by the late Sam Jacks, and has become one of the fastest team sports on ice. Since that time, Ringette has noted many successes and accomplishments Local, Regional, Provincial and World Championships. The Ontario Ringette Association Hall of Fame which was established in 1977, currently has 45 members including John Halliday, of Owen Sound.
For the 2003 - 2004 season, Owen Sound Extreme Ringette launched their new logo. In the last few years, Ringette has almost doubled the number of players to almost 100. Their dedicated and talented players field 7 teams in 5 divisions at the B and C levels in Grey Bruce Ringette and North Waterloo Region Ringette. Ages of players range from 4 to 18. More information about Ringette is available online at www.ontario-ringette.com or www.ringette.ca.
|
 |