What is it?

Ringette is an ice-sport played primarily by females. The objective is to outscore the opposing team by putting a rubber ring into the goal. There are similarities to hockey: a lot of the equipment is the same, the game is played on ice, and teams have six players on the ice: a goalie, two defense, a center and two forwards.. The game is faster than hockey though, with emphasis on play-making and skating. The most obvious Ringette rules are: the ring must be passed across the blue lines, no one but the goalie is allowed in the goal crease, there are no “face-offs”, and for older players there is a shot-clock similar to basketball.

Age Groups

Dates

The Ringette season runs from October to March.

How to Register

If you have any inquiries regarding registration, please contact the St. James Ringette Association at https://sjraringette.wordpress.com/.

Fees

Registration Fees will be published each August in time for fall registration. Discounts are available for first-time players, goalies (junior and older), and the third Ringette player registered from the same family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I’ve never played before and I’m 8. Is it too late for me to start?
A. No. If you don’t know how to skate, you should take some lessons, but your coaches will teach you how to play.

Q. What if I’m 9?
A. Same.

Q. I’ve been playing for 3 years and I’m still only 8. Do I have to play R4U?
A. No, if you think you are up to it, you can play for the U10 (Novices).

Q. I’m still not sure about playing Ringette. What if I don’t like it?
A. SJRA, with other ringette associations, offers a free “Come Try Ringette” program each year. If you try it and like it, you can still register and be placed on a team.

Q. My friend plays Ringette and I want to play on her team. Can I?
A. Include that on your registration form. We’ll try to make that happen. If not, there will be good reasons why.

Myths About Ringette:

1.  Ringette is “hockey for girls”.
No, no it’s not. While the game is played on ice and the players wear similar protective gear, the game-play is unique due to the player’s ability to control the ring while executing amazing maneuvers.

2.  I heard that only the forwards can score.
Maybe in your grandma’s Ringette days. In a by-gone age, only the forwards were allowed to cross the opponent’s blue line. Since then, a “Ringette line” has been introduced at the top of the face-off circles. Think of this line as the basketball “paint”. Only three players from each side are permitted in there, but it doesn’t matter which three.

3.  Don’t the players have to use colour-coded sticks?
Which colours? Pink, blue, black, red, white, silver, orange… Play with your favourite colour.

4.  There’s nowhere for Ringette players to go.
Tournaments, League Championships, Provincial Championships, Western Canada Championships, National Championships, World Championships, University… how much further do you want to go?

5. I mean, after 18 years old there are no teams to play on.
The Open Division players will be surprised to hear that.

6.  Girls’ Hockey is taking away players. Ringette is dying.
Wrong-o. We’re growing. Starting in the 1990s, enrollment in Ringette has been increasing every year in Canada.

Did You Know…

~ Ringette is a Canadian game that was first introduced in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario
~ Coaching and other volunteering opportunities exist at every age group. Just ask when you register.
~ Referee opportunities exist for anyone 15 years or older. Or scorekeeping. Or timekeeping. Or shot-clocking. Or R4U instructing. Or…

Contact

For more information regarding Ringette contact the Registrar at https://sjraringette.wordpress.com/