About Ringette
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Ringette is an exciting and unique ice sport played primarily by females, but open to all. It is a fast-paced sport that combines speed and strategy, and encourages teamwork through competition and cooperation.  It is often referred to as the "fastest game on ice!"

Ringette is played across Canada, and internationally in Finland, Sweden and the United States. The sport has also been introduced in Japan, Australia and Switzerland.

History

In 1963 the late Sam Jacks of North Bay, Ontario, created the game of ringette so that girls in his community would have a team sport to play during the winter months.  His widow, the late Agnes Jacks, served for many years as the sport's official ambassador at the Canadian Ringette Championships and many international events. Ringette Canada offers an athlete scholarship that bears her name. 


Age Divisions

• Bunnies/Introductory (7 and under)
• Novice (9 and under)
• Petite (11 and under)
• Tween (13 and under)
• Junior (15 and under)
• Belle (18 and under)
• Open (19 and over)

Protective Equipment

• CSA approved helmet & facemask
• BNQ approved neck protector
• Elbow pads
• Protective gloves
• Hip/Tailbone/Genital Protection
• Knee Pads
• Skates (no picks)
• Ringette Stick
• Goalie Equipment - Goal Pads, Chest Protector, Goal Stick
• Optional Equipment - Shoulder Pads, Mouth Guard
• Optional Goalie Equipment - Goal Skates, Blocker, Trapper, Arm Pads

A Few Rules...

• Ringette is played on a standard rink
• 5 skaters and a goalie per team
• Games are officiated by one or more trained referees
• The object is to score goals in the net of your opponent
• A straight stick of wood, fibreglass or aluminum is used to pass, control and shoot an 8" hollow rubber ring
• Play is started by a free pass similar to the start of a soccer game
• The player "taking the free pass" has 5 seconds to pass the ring to a teammate...and the game is on!
• Any stoppage in play will result in a free pass to restart 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 goals
• Free play lines (see Diagram) define restricted ares in the deep offensive and defensive zones, and teams are allowed no more than 3 skaters at a time in these areas, so overcrowding is minimal
• Skaters are not permitted in the goalie crease
• If the ring lands in or on the goal crease, the only person who can touch it is the goalie
• There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with all rules geared towards safety
• Most penalties are 2 minutes but a 4 minute Major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough
• View the attached document to learn the officials signals used in Ringette