GIRLS ICE HOCKEY?

(Oh, you mean)

"RINGETTE!"

By Jill Bartholomew

In the Village of Glencoe there has always been many sports clubs offered through the Park-Recreation District. However, there was one time of the year when boys sports out weighed the girls —hockey season. Last year the Glencoe Park-Recreation District offered a new winter sport for girls called RINGETTE. "What is RINGETTE?" "How did Glencoe start this program?" are probably the first two questions that come to your mind. The answer to these and other questions are what I'll now explain.

What is Ringette?

Ringette is the girls' answer to boys' ice hockey. Girls too, should have an exciting winter team sport on ice. Ringette was begun in Ontario, Canada in 1965. Since that time rules have been established, an executive director has been hired, and over 40 communities in Ontario are members of the Ringette Association. More than 5,000 girls play Ringette in Ontario. According to my last O.R.A. (Ontario Ringette Association) letter there are 3 recreation departments that are involved with Ringette in the United States; one in North Dakota, one in Michigan and one in Massachusetts.

Sixth grade girls are practicing passing the deck tennis ring in the game of "Ringette."

How is Ringette Played?

Ringette can be played on any ice surface on which hockey can be played. Eleven to fifteen girls are on a team, six play at one time. There is 1 goal keeper, 2 forwards, 2 defense and 1 center. The object of the game is to score more goals than the other team. There is no body contact allowed. Safety of the participants is always kept in mind and specified by the game's rules. Girls equipment is simple and can be modified. The actual rules state that a regular hockey stick with the blade cut off be used. A deck-tennis ring is used as the hockey puck. Although the rules are slightly different from boys' hockey, it is still a fast moving game where everyone can get in on the action.

How was Ringette Originated?

For many years the Canadians attempted to create new winter court or rink games for girls. Broomball and ice hockey for girls had only limited success according to the Canadians. Ringette brought not only a new name, but enough revisions to ice hockey to make it a popular girls' sport.

The Glencoe Park-Recreation District began this program after writing to Canada for the rules on how to play this game. The program was first taught to the 4th, 5th and 6th grade girls in their gym class. A school was chosen and one gym instructor was asked to teach the class. School and teacher cooperation have played a large part in our beginning this new Park District program. This particular school is located directly behind our artificial ice rink. Two days a week the girls were given free ice time during their gym classes to play Ringette.

Our Park District supplies each girl with rules,

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 November/December, 1973

Ringette is a fast moving ice sport and the girls are required to wear helmets during a game.

Instructor and referee, Moe Hampton, calls time during the game, but the girls are responsible for calling their own plays, It is amazing how their knowledge of hockey, in general, develops.

and the necessary equipment. After 1 season 45 girls have learned to play Ringette.

This year our Ice Program will include scheduled ice time for Ringette. This class will be open to girls' grades 4th through 8th. Our instructor will be the cooperative teacher who helped us begin our program. A small fee will be charged. We hope to form as many teams as possible.

Also this winter, girls gym classes will again be taught the basics of Ringette and be given free ice to use during the school day to practice.

How have Glencoe Girls received Ringette?

This sport has been eagerly accepted. The girls have received local publicity as well as appeared as a part of our Ice Carnival. Ringette is the girls answer to boys ice hockey. It has its own rules and equipment much like hockey, but modified for girls. We began the program because of the need for girls winter sports.

Ringette is a great idea and as the Canadians have shown us with their large number of girl participants that it is growing stronger every year. Here in Illinois with our many ice rinks Ringette could be a tremendous program, with many opportunities for fun, league play, even fun competition between Park Districts. So let's all take a tip from the Canadians Let's Play Ringette!

For more information on Ringette, how to obtain a copy of the rules or start your program contact: Jill Bartholomew, Recreation Supervisor, Glencoe Park-Recreation District, 305 Randolph Street, Glencoe, Illinois 60022.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 November/December, 1973