SHRA invites players to try ringette

The Sault Recreation Hockey Association is inviting all interested ringette participants out for a trial run on Monday.

The SHRA, which has been providing the city with a ringette league for over 20 years, will provide an opportunity to learn about "Canada's fastest game on ice" for no charge on Monday, September 13.

Interested players are asked to bring skates, hockey gloves and a helmet if possible.

The session begins at 7 p.m. with an information session in the upstairs meeting room at the John Rhodes Community Centre followed by an on-ice session on the #1 ice pad.

On Tuesday, the league will host an equipment swap and social in the Rhodes meeting room at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact president Debbie Jo Linklater at 942-5017 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Vice-president Steve Summers may also be contacted at 759-2112.

Additional information may also be found by visiting the league's website at [email protected].

The following is release provided by the SHRA highlighting the history of ringette and the current status of play locally:

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RINGETTE

Many of you have arrived at the arena and have noticed something different about the game in progress. There are ten skaters, two fully dressed goalies and they're playing with broken sticks and a blue ring. There's no blade and where's the puck?

Ringette is THE OTHER great Canadian ICE sport. It was invented by Sam Jacks, a Parks & Recreation Manager from North Bay. As a winter sport intended for girls who did not play hockey or figure skate, he developed the game to include the speed of hockey and the team play of basketball.

The players wear full (pardon the term) hockey equipment. There is a special facemask required and a regulation ringette stick. Teams consist of 2 defense, 3 forwards and a goalie. Goals are scored by advancing the ring and scoring on the opposition team. The BIG DIFFERENCE between hockey and ringette is that the ring must be passed forward to a waiting player and cannot be carried over a blue line. (No hogs)

Games are played locally at the recreational level, but Sault Ringette also has Tournament Teams for each age group and has had both players and teams compete at the Provincial A , AA and AAA level of play. We have also had our athletes represent us at the Ontario Winter Games. Sault teams have brought home their share of gold medals from invitational tournaments across the province. We are well respected in Ringette circles.

SRHA has been supporting Ringette in Sault Ste. Marie for many years and teams are available in every age group, at any level play. Our Petite league is one of the few which is co-ed and we encourage boys to join. We run an Adult Open Mixed Division as well, which allows parents and those over the age of 18 to continue to enjoy the sport.

Sault Ringette has been providing, fun, fast and friendship filled play for over 20 years.

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