What is Ringette?

The Sport of Ringette was developed in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario, by the late Mr. Sam Jacks. Originally designed to be a unique winter team sport for girls and an alternative to hockey, Ringette has evolved into a fast paced, exciting sport that combines the speed of hockey with the strategy of basketball. The first game played in Espanola, Ontario, was nothing like the sport of today.

Some of the Rules        

Ringette is played on any standard hockey rink. Five skaters and a goalie are on the ice for each team, unless of course there are penalties being served. The object is to score goals on the net of your opponent. How you do that, however, is where Ringette becomes unique. A straight stick, similar to a hockey stick with no blade, is used to pass an 8" hollow rubber ring between team mates.

Play is started by a Free Pass, similar to the start of a soccer game. The ring is placed in the half of the center ice free pass circle closest to the visitors' goalie. On the referee's whistle, the player "taking the free pass" has five seconds to pass the ring to a team mate... and the game is on! Any stoppages 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", again, like a soccer goalie throwing in the ball.

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 goals.

Free play lines 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. A wall of 5 skaters surrounding their goalie would make for little offensive opportunity, don't you think? There are exceptions to this rule, but only when two or more penalties are being served by one team, or if the goalie has been pulled for an extra skater.

How about Penalties

There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with all the rules geared towards safety. When contact does occur, however, penalties are assessed. The most common are Body Contact, Tripping, and Interference and are usually unintentional as players focus on checking the ring from an opponent's stick or skating to get a loose ring first. Most penalties are 2 minutes, but a 4 minute Major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough.

Some Facts about Ringette in Ontario. Canada

Ontario Ringette boasts a membership of over 120 Local Associations with 10,763 players registered (over 500 players are male). An estimated 5,000 + unregistered players are also participating in schools and Recreation Center programs. 1,200 coaches, 800 referees and countless volunteers are also active in Ringette.

Six Regional Committees oversee many programs offered to our members, from National Coaching and Officiating Certification Program Clinics, to Regional Championships and Sanctioned Tournament play. The Regions are there to help the members administer local programs too.

Levels of play are C, B, A, and AA. Over 60 tournaments are held throughout the season, with Regional Championships being the highlight for B and C, while Provincials are the finale for the A level and Petite and Tween AA. Each year Provincial Champions in the Junior, Belle, Deb and Intermediate AA divisions earn a berth at the Canadian Ringette Championships. Ontario teams have won many National Titles.

Also available to the elite athlete, AAA Belle Team Ontario is selected every four years for Canada Winter Games competition. The older divisions form the AAA Team to compete against the other provinces with the victor representing Canada at the bi-annual World Championship.

What next? The Olympics are not far off!

Age Divisions

• Bunnies - 7 yrs. & under
• Novice - 9 yrs. & under
• Petite - 11 yrs. & under
• Tween - 13 yrs. & under
• Junior - 15 yrs. & under
• Belle - 19 yrs. & under 
• Deb - 23 yrs. & under
• Intermediate - 21 yrs. & over 
• Masters - 30 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, Mouth Guard
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.