Celebrating 50 Years of Ringette in BC with Anniversary Logo & Alumni Games
50 years ago on January 3, 1974, the very first ringette game in BC was played at the Aldergrove Arena in Langley, BC.
To kick-off this special 50th anniversary, Ringette BC and the West Coast Ringette Historical Society have partnered to launch a special logo to commemorate this historical milestone for the sport in the province of British Columbia. Together, they will also host alumni game celebrations at the 2024 U12 Year End Event in West Kelowna on March 9th and at the 2024 Provincial Club and 18+(B) Championships in Richmond on March 23rd. A special display will also be set-up at all three provincial event locations – Prince George, West Kelowna, and Richmond, selling special 50th anniversary merchandise and showcasing the history of ringette.
“Ringette BC is very excited to partner with the West Coast Ringette Historical Society to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ringette being played in the province of British Columbia. Together we’ve created this special anniversary logo that will be used throughout the year to celebrate this incredible milestone. The alumni game celebrations are an opportunity to showcase the history of ringette to the future of the sport.”
– Matt Doherty, Executive Director, Ringette BC
“The West Coast Ringette Historical Society is excited to be working with Ringette BC to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ringette in our beautiful province. Ringette has been a big part of my life since I was a child and I’ve seen it grow and positively impact the lives of many others. The alumni games will be a wonderful opportunity for former players to come together and support the sport they love, while embracing the next generation of players.”
– Yvonne Johnson, Director, West Cost Ringette Historical Society
The ringette alumni game will consist of three 15-minute periods where alumni ringette players will come together in a fun game demonstrating ringette’s past and present. Each period will feature a different set of rules —the old rules as played in 1974, and the current 2024 rules.
Read more here on the history of ringette in BC.
ALUMNI GAMES
Registration Details:
Registration for the games will be open to any former ringette athlete, coach, or official aged 16+ who must have at a minimum, skates, a helmet, and gloves. There will be no fee charged to register but donations are welcomed.
Two Alumni Game Details:
Alumni Game at the 2024 RBC U12 Year End Event
Date: Saturday, March 9,
Location: Royal Lepage place, West Kelowna
Time: 12:15 – 1:10pm
Alumni Game at the 2024 RBC Club & 18+B Provincials
Date: March 23 Richmond – Club Provincials
Location: Richmond Ice Centre – Coliseum Rink, Richmond
Time: 8pm-9pm
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR EACH GAME
If anyone would like to be put on a waitlist for the alumni game at the Ringette BC Club Provincials in Richmond, please email Shannon Bettles at shannon@bcringettehistory.ca
Game Details:
In the first period, two teams of alumni will take the ice where they will find a bucket of red, white, and blue cut-off hockey sticks, and a bucket of new ringette sticks. The players will warm up for game by trying out the old and new sticks, becoming familiar with the rules, and being put through some drills by a coach. The second period will feature game play between the two teams and will be played according to ringette’s original rules. This includes zero body contact, 3-minute buzzer, no goalie ring, no shot clock, and no extended zone line. An official will enforce the rules and penalties may be called. In the third period a modern game of ringette will be played under 2024 game rules and sticks. The game will be a safe, fun, and enjoyable experience for the alumni players.
The alumni games will feature a commentator who will describe the rules and announce the game. Between the two periods, ringette trivia and activities will be played to involve audience members who can win prizes. Before, after, and while the game is being played, the West Cost Ringette Historical Society (WCRHS) will have a few tables of displays and memorabilia, and there will be anniversary merchandise for sale. Proceeds from sales will go back to the WCRHS to be used to continue to preserve and promote ringette in BC. Following the event, a social evening at a restaurant or pub will be organized for all alumni to come together to celebrate the sport of ringette.
Lastly, if you are a ringette alumnus and live in the Okanagan or the Lower Mainland and want to get involved in these alumni game celebrations, please contact the West Coast Ringette Historical Society contact below.
About Ringette BC:
Ringette BC is the Provincial Ringette Organization for British Columbia. Our organization delivers ringette across the province of BC from Prince George to Kelowna to Vancouver Island to Metro Vancouver and all the communities in between. Ringette BC is comprised of over 2500 ringette athletes and participants. Our membership includes coaches, referees, and volunteers that culminates in a membership of over 3000. Ringette BC offers programs to participants from 4 years of age to 18+ and 35+.
Ringette BC Contact:
Matt Doherty
Executive Director, Ringette BC
executivedirector@bcringette.org
604-629-6583
About the West Coast Ringette Historical Society
The West Coast Ringette Historical Society is a registered non-profit society established in 2019 to preserve, provide access to, share, and present the history of ringette in British Columbia.
West Coast Ringette Historical Society Contact:
Shannon Bettles
President, West Coast Ringette Historical Society
shannon@bcringettehistory.ca
604-787-4329
