About the Game

Invented in Canada, played internationally, ringette is the fastest game on ice! Ringette players use a straight stick to pass, carry and shoot a rubber ring to score goals. A team is made up of 5 players and a goalie. Both girls and boys play the game, although girls predominate.

Why Kids Love Ringette

Kids who play ringette:

• learn cooperation, teamwork, and sportsmanship
• interact with people from many cultures
• develop friendships that can endure for a lifetime
• develop cardiovascular fitness, agility, and muscle strength

Research indicates that children who participate in organized community activities, such as sport, tend to have higher self-esteem, interact better with friends, be less likely to get into trouble, and perform better in school (socially and academically).

As the organizers of Come Try Ringette, a national ringette awareness campaign, say. . .

"Ringette is not hockey for girls!"

• different rules
• different equipment
• different skills
• different game!

Vancouver Ringette: Fun and Friendships Happen on Ice!

• Builds strong, fit and confident girls
• Starts as young as 5 years old
• A true team sport, maximum participation
• Non-contact, full protective gear
• Intentional body checking not allowed
• Each game is a full hour filled with fast play
• Can be played recreationally or competitively

Ringette Offers

• Opportunities to become a highly skilled athlete
• Travel! Play locally, provincially, nationally and even internationally
• Any age and physical stage, from 5 - adult

How Is Ringette Played?

The so-called "fastest game on ice" is played in a hockey arena using the 2 blue lines but not the centre line. Two additional free play lines create zones unique to the sport. Unlike hockey, the ring must be passed across the blue lines. This encourages passing and team play, enhancing the flow of the game and making it very rapid. The game is kept fast moving and wide open as only three players from each team may enter the offensive or defensive zone at a time. There is lots of room to move which creates many scoring chances. Like basketball and lacrosse, in most divisions of Ringette, there is a shot clock that forces the teams to shoot quickly which also keeps the game moving quickly.

The Ringette Season

The Lower Mainland Ringette League (LMRL) is made up of 13 associations. Play begins in September with a month of tiering games, followed by a season that lasts about 16 weeks not counting a 2 week winter break in December and January. The LRML also forms all-star teams that represent BC at National Tournaments.

Over 50,000 Canadians in all 10 provinces play Ringette; more than 9,000 coaches are registered with the National Coaching Certification Program, and almost 3,000 referees are trained under the Ringette Canada National Officiating Program.