Ringette History


Ringette

In 1963, the late Sam Jacks of North Bay, Ontario, created the game of ringette so that girls in his community would have a team sport to play during the winter months. Recently, Ringette Canada developed an athletic scholarship that bears Agnes Jacks' name to honor her for all the time she spent being an ambassador to the sport her husband invented. The sport of ringette was introduced to Saskatchewan in 1973 by Mr. Bob Gotts of Regina, with the Ringette Association of Saskatchewan established in 1976.

Ringette is a unique winter ice sport played primarily by females, but is open to all. This non-contact sport has players using a straight stick and a hollow rubber ring. Ringette rules require individuals to pass over each blue line, thus encouraging team play.

Ringette is now played across Canada, boasting 50,000 players. Presently, Saskatchewan has approximately 2000 registered players, over 400 bench personnel and 287 officials.


Ringette Philosophy

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


International Ringette Federation

Ringette achieved international status with the formation of the International Ringette Federation in 1986. Founding member countries: Canada, Finland, Sweden, United States and France. The game has been introduced to the Netherlands, Switzerland, Soviet Union, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.


World Championships

World Championships have been held since 1990. The National Team Program is an ongoing Ringette Canada initiative centred on the athletes. The primary focus is on promotion of the sport at National and International levels. Recent results include:

  • 2002 World Ringette Championship was in Edmonton and Team Canada beat Finland 3-1. CBC TV broadcasted the game live across Canada
  • 2004 Championship was in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland regained the world title after defeating Canada 9-3
  • 2007 World Championship was held in Ottawa where Finland defeated Canada 4-3 in overtime. The game was broadcasted coast-to-coast through cable operators across Canada. This prestigious event is now held every three years, with Finland hosting the 2010 World Championships


    • Canadian Ringette Championships (CRC)

    In April of 1994, Saskatoon Ringette Association, the CRC Host Committee and the city of Saskatoon hosted the 16th Annual Canadian Ringette Championships. Tim Hortons came on board as the "Title Sponsor" of the CRC in 2000. TSN provided special coverage of the Nationals.


    Canada Winter Games

    Ringette has been included in the Canada Winter Games since 1991. The last Winter Games were in February 2007 in Whitehorse, Yukon. The next Canada Winter Games are in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2011.


    Western Canadian Ringette Championships (WCRC)

    The WCRC is a three-day tournament showcasing the best Ringette teams from the four Western Provinces, competing in the Tween AA, Junior A, Belle A and, for 2008, Open A divisions. Saskatoon held the inaugural four-province Westerns in 1999 and again in 2002. Other host cities include Delta, BC (2004), Regina (2005), Winnipeg (2006), Medicine Hat (2007) and most recently Prince George, BC in 2008. In 2008 Saskatoon players had the opportunity to represent Team Sask in their divisions, with our Junior A team placing second in Prince George.


    Saskatchewan Provincial Championships

    Saskatchewan Provincial Ringette Championships are held in different communities throughout the province each year. Provincial Championships are conducted for the Tween through Open age divisions, at the "AA", "A" and "B" level.
    Each year, crowned Provincial Champions in the Junior, Belle and Open "AA" divisions advance to the Canadian Ringette Championships while the Provincial Champions in the Tween "AA", Junior and Belle "A" divisions advance to the Western Canadian Ringette Championships.


    Saskatoon Ringette Association

    Ringette was first introduced in Saskatoon in the fall of 1980 and the first team was created with the participation of 22 players. Now, the Association boasts nearly 400 registered players every season with a team in most divisions: Bunnies (7 and under), Novice (8-9), Petite (10-11), Tween (12-13), Junior (14-15), Belle (16-19), Open (19 and over) and Masters (over 30).