What Is Ringette In Canada?

What is Ringette? Ringette is often described as a cross between Ice Hockey and Basketball as there is a 30-second window (monitored with a “shot clock”) in which teams are required to shoot.

What Equipment Do You Need To Play Ringette?

To play ringette, you will need a few pieces of equipment. This includes skates, a helmet, gloves, and a mouthguard. You will also need a stick used to shoot the ring.

Because the stick is narrow at the end, the helmet is designed differently from a hockey helmet. The mask must have triangular or tight horizontal bars so that the point of the stick cannot impact the face.

Body protection is also required. Players wear a neck guard, knee, elbow and shinpads, and hip and tailbone protection.

The stick is about two feet long and has a plastic blade on one end. The ring is made of hard rubber, about three inches in diameter.

What Are The Rules Of Ringette?

Teams are usually between twelve and seventeen players in size. Of these, only six are allowed on the ice simultaneously, five skaters and one goalie.

The rink is divided into three zones: the attacking zone, the neutral zone, and the defending zone. Each team has its own net, which is located in its defending zone.

The objective of ringette is to score goals by shooting the ring into the other team’s net. Players can only shoot the ring when they are in the attacking zone. They can pass the ring to their teammates anytime, but they can only shoot it when they are in the attacking zone.

Ringette is a non-contact sport, and intentional body contact is not permitted. Players are given penalties if they make excessive contact with an opposing player.

If a player shoots the ring and it goes out of play, then play stops and the ring is brought back into the rink. The same thing happens if a player falls down or if there is a penalty.

Penalties are given for infractions such as tripping, holding, interference, high-sticking, and slashing. Penalties result in the offending player being sent to the penalty box for two minutes.

The game is divided into four quarters or two halves; depending upon the age of the participants, the team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.

In 2000, a 30-second shot clock was introduced to make the game even faster. The shot clock starts when a team gains possession of the ring, and if they have not taken a shot on the net within 30 seconds, a buzzer sounds, and the ring is awarded to the opposing team.

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The History Of Ringette

Ringette was invented in 1963 by a man named Sam Jacks. He wanted to create a fast-paced and challenging sport, and he felt ice hockey was dangerous for women.

He devised the idea for ringette while working as a coach for the girls’ ice hockey team at the University of Ottawa.

The first ringette game was played on December 8, 1963, at the Ottawa Civic Centre. The game was between two teams of eight players each.

The sport quickly gained popularity, and by 1965 there were over 1,000 players in Ontario alone.

Conclusion – What Is Ringette?

Ringette, a sport that beautifully merges the dynamics of Ice Hockey and Basketball, has carved its niche in the world of sports.

Originating in 1963, thanks to the vision of Sam Jacks, it has grown from its first game in the Ottawa Civic Centre to being played internationally, with Canada and Finland often vying for the championship title.

The sport, while having a dedicated following, remains a minority sport in Canada, especially when compared to its counterpart, hockey. However, its unique rules, non-contact nature, and emphasis on teamwork make it a distinct and engaging sport. For those unfamiliar with ringette, it offers a fresh perspective on ice sports, and for its loyal fan base, it’s a source of immense joy and camaraderie.

Whether you’re in Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia, Ringette has left its mark, and its legacy continues to grow, one game at a time.

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FAQ – What Is Ringette?

Is ringette popular in Canada?

Ringette remains a minority sport in Canada, with just over 30,000 registered players. The sport’s growth has levelled off in recent years with little change in the number of players.
Ringette is most popular in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, with seemingly little interest in the remaining provinces.
There are less than 1000 registered male players. There is little sign it is becoming more attractive as a male sport.

Which countries is ringette played in?

Ringette is mainly played in Canada but can also be found in Sweden, Finland, France, Russia, Slovakia, the United States, the Czech Republic and Abu Dhabi.
The World Ringette Championship usually finds Canada and Finland competing for the gold medal.

What is Ringette BC?

Ringette BC is an organization dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of ringette in British Columbia, Canada.
Ringette BC provides resources for both athletes and para-athletes, aiming to enhance skills and teamwork through its Excellence Ringette Program.
The organization is composed of various local associations and leagues throughout the province, fostering the growth of the sport and providing opportunities for players to engage in friendly competition.

Ringette vs. Hockey, Which is Best?

If public opinion is believed, then hockey is better than ringette. More than 600,000 are registered to play hockey in Canada, dwarfing those registered to play ringette.
I can’t recall seeing a ringette match showing down at my local sports bar. Even out of season, I would be surprised if there wasn’t at least one screen showing hockey.
Despite this, Ringette maintains a loyal following and provides enjoyment to its small fan base.

What is Ringette Alberta?

Ringette Alberta is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and growth of ringette in Alberta. It provides programs, services, and resources to players, coaches, officials, and volunteers across the province. Ringette is a fast-paced team sport that combines hockey and figure skating elements. Players use straight sticks to pass, carry, and shoot a rubber ring into their opponents’ net.

Ringette Alberta offers a variety of programs for all ages and skill levels. The Ringette Alberta Cup program is designed to enhance the development of athletes and coaches. The organization also hosts provincial tournaments throughout the year and social media provincials for younger players. Additionally, Ringette Alberta provides scholarships to help support Alberta players who are looking to excel on and off the ice.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, Ringette Alberta has something for everyone! With its commitment to providing quality programming and resources, it’s no wonder why so many Albertans choose this exciting sport as their favourite pastime.