History
The sport of Ringette was created in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario, by the late Mr. Sam Jacks. Originally designed to be a unique winter team sport for
girls, Ringette has evolved into a fast paced, exciting sport that combines the speed of hockey with the strategy of basketball. In the game, players use a
straight stick to pass, carry, and shoot a rubber ring to score goals.
For ten years play centered in Ontario and Quebec, however, the sport quickly spread across Canada and is now played in all ten provinces and the
Northwest Territories.
In fact, the sport has become one of Canada's favorite activities for females, with over 50,000 participants across Canada - a remarkable growth rate for
such a young sport.
More than 9,000 certified Ringette coaches are registered in the National Coaching Certification Program, and 2,866 registered referees trained under
Ringette Canada's National Officiating Program. In addition, there are thousands of volunteers who administer clubs, leagues, and tournaments across
Canada.
The explosive growth is continuing internationally with the formation of associations in the U.S.A., Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and France. In addition,
Ringette Canada has been instrumental in demonstrating the game in the Netherlands, Switzerland, West Germany and Japan. Ringette is turning out to
be one of Canada's fastest growing exports!
girls, Ringette has evolved into a fast paced, exciting sport that combines the speed of hockey with the strategy of basketball. In the game, players use a
straight stick to pass, carry, and shoot a rubber ring to score goals.
For ten years play centered in Ontario and Quebec, however, the sport quickly spread across Canada and is now played in all ten provinces and the
Northwest Territories.
In fact, the sport has become one of Canada's favorite activities for females, with over 50,000 participants across Canada - a remarkable growth rate for
such a young sport.
More than 9,000 certified Ringette coaches are registered in the National Coaching Certification Program, and 2,866 registered referees trained under
Ringette Canada's National Officiating Program. In addition, there are thousands of volunteers who administer clubs, leagues, and tournaments across
Canada.
The explosive growth is continuing internationally with the formation of associations in the U.S.A., Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and France. In addition,
Ringette Canada has been instrumental in demonstrating the game in the Netherlands, Switzerland, West Germany and Japan. Ringette is turning out to
be one of Canada's fastest growing exports!
Some of the Rules…
- Ringette is played on any standard rink.
- 5 skaters and a goalie.
- The object is to score goals in the net of your opponent.
- straight stick of wood, fibreglas or aluminum is used to pass, control and shoot an 8” hollow ring between teammates.
- Play is started by a free pass similar to the start of a soccer game.
- The player “taking the free pass” has five seconds to pass the ring to a teammate…and the game is on!
- Any stoppage in play will result in a free pass to re-start the game, usually in the nearest free pass circle.
- Some defensive free passes are replaced by a “goaltender ring”.
- Rules restrict any one player from carrying the ring the full length of the ice (no ring hogs).
- The ring must be passed over each blue line to another player, which means more players can be involved in setting up the goals.
- Free play lines (see Diagram) define restricted areas in the deep offensive and defensive zones.
- Teams are allowed no more than 3 skaters at a time in these areas, so over-crowding is minimal.
Penalties
- There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with all rules geared towards safety.
- The most common are body contact, tripping and interference.
- Most penalties are 2 minutes but a 4 minute major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough.
Age Divisions
- Bunnies 7 yrs. & under
- Novice 9 yrs. & under
- Petite 11 yrs. & under
- Tween 13 yrs. & under
- Junior 15 yrs. & under
- Belle 18 yrs. & under
- Open 19 yrs. & over
Equipment
- Mandatory Equipment
- CSA approved Helmet & Face mask
- BNQ Approved Neck Protector
- Elbow Pads
- Protective Gloves
- Hip/Tailbone/Genital Protection
- Shin Guards
- Hockey/Ringette Skates (no picks)
- Uniform Jersey
- Track Pants or "Cooper alls"
- Ringette Stick
- Goalie Equipment (Extras or Different)
- Goal Pads
- Chest Protector
- Goal Stick
- Optional Equipment
- Skaters: Shoulder Pads,
- Goalies: Goal Skates, Blocker, Trapper, Arm Pads, Goalie Mask, Plastic Throat Protector (must still have a BNQ Throat Protector on)
The Rink
Teams have 1 goalie, 1 center, 2 forwards, and 2 defense on the ice while full strength. Any Team A Free Pass would be taken from the shaded half of the Free Pass Circle, unless it is a
Goalkeeper Ring.
Goalkeeper Ring.
