The sport of Ringette was developed in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario, by the late Mr. Sam Jacks. Originally designed to be a unique winter team sport for girls and an alternative to hockey, Ringette has evolved into a fast paced, exciting sport that combines the speed of hockey with the strategy of basketball or lacrosse. The first game played in Espanola, Ontario, was nothing like the sport of today.

Ringette is played on any standard rink. Five skaters and a goalie are on the ice for each team, unless of course there are penalties being served. The object is to score goals on the net of your opponent. How you do that, however, is where Ringette becomes unique. A straight stick, similar to a hockey stick with no blade, is used to pass an 8" hollow rubber ring between teammates.

Play is started by a Free Pass, similar to the start of a soccer game. The ring is placed in the half of the center ice free pass circle closest to the visitors' goalie. On the referee's whistle, the player "taking the free pass" has five seconds to pass the ring to a teammate... and the game is on! Any stoppages in play will result in a free pass to re-start the game, usually in the nearest free pass circle. Some defensive free passes are replaced by a "goaltender ring", again, like a soccer goalie throwing in the ball.

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 define restricted areas in the deep offensive and defensive zones. Teams are allowed no more than 3 skaters at a time in these areas, so over-crowding is minimal. A wall of 5 skaters surrounding their goalie would make for little offensive opportunity, don't you think? There are exceptions to this rule, but only when two or more penalties are being served by one team, or if the goalie has been pulled for an extra skater.

There is no intentional contact allowed in Ringette, with the rules geared towards safety. When contact does occur, however, penalties are assessed. The most common are Body Contact, Tripping, and Interference and are usually unintentional as players focus on checking the ring from an opponent's stick or skating to get a loose ring first. Most penalties are 2 minutes, but a 4 minute Major is assessed for actions that are deemed intentional or particularly rough.

Thanks to Ontario Ringette for the above information!

For more information on Ringette in your area please visit our links page.

Age Divisions

Division	Age(s)
Bunny	7 & Under
Novice	9 & Under
Petite	11 & Under
Tween	13 & Under
Junior	15 & Under
Belle	18 & Under
Open AA	19 & Over
Open A, B, C, D	Unrestricted
Master	30 & Over

Mandatory Equipment:  

CSA approved Helmet & Face mask
BNQ Approved Neck Protector
Elbow Pads
Protective Gloves
Hip/Tailbone/Genital Protection
Shin Guards
Ringette / Hockey Skates (no picks)
Uniform Jersey
Track Pants or "Cooperalls"
Ringette Stick
 
Goalie Equipment (Extras or Different): 
Goal Pads
Chest Protector
Goal Stick
 
Optional Equipment: 
Skaters:  Shoulder Pads
Mouth Guard
 
Goalies:  
Goal Skates
Blocker
Trapper
Arm Pads
Goalie Mask
Plastic Throat Protector (must still have a BNQ Throat Protector)