2017-2018
- Ringette Calgary's 40th Season
- There were 103 teams registered with Ringette Calgary.
- A total of 147 teams participated in Zone 123 League Play.
- In addition there were 32 teams registered with the Calgary Open Ringette Association (CORA).
- City ice arena rate rental increased to $275.40 per hour (plus GST)
- AA hosted the "Ring it On Tournament" from Sept 29-Oct 1
- CalE hosted the "Lonnie Krahn Classic from Oct 12-15
- South Calgary hosted the "Memorial Ringette Tournament" from Oct 6-7
- Bow View hosted the "Jingle Ring" from Nov 24-26, Dec 8-10
- Marlayne Brandsgard reached a significant milestone of 25 years working in the Ringette Calgary office
- A Concussion Information and Awareness Session was held Wednesday, November 22, 2017. Paul Geddes ran the session.
- Ringette Calgary continued to mandate the Respect in Sport Leadership program.
- For the first time parents were required to complete the Respect in Sport for Parents program.
- The Don Henderson Memorial Ringette Scholarship was awarded to XXX for the 2017/18 Academic year
- The "2015 Western Canadian Ringette Championships Legacy Scholarships" were awarded to Emily Renneberg and Rachel Ung for the 2017/18 Academic year.
Our community was heartbroken to learn that Matt Loh passed away on March 2, 2018 at the age of 56. Matt was a valued Ringette volunteer for many years through Triwood, NW Ringette, Esso Golden Ring and AA Ringette.
His contributions to the Calgary AA program were multiple—such as running their fundraising commitment with the Flames Foundation, introducing and organizing the Ring It On Exhibition Series, and creating the Own the Ring Challenge during our last Provincial hosting—as well as being a long-time committee member who brought enthusiasm and hard work to everything he did.
Matt touched a lot of people through his generosity and helpfulness and was always willing to do what was needed to get the job done. He will be missed immeasurably.
Ringette Night with the Flames
Ringette Calgary again partnered with the Flames organization for a great team building opportunity.
There were two games to choose from:
Wednesday, Dec 20th, the Flames vs.St. Louis Blues
Thursday, Feb 1st, 2018, the Flames vs Tampa Bay Lightning
- Tickets for anyone associated with ringette in the city were available with seats in a blocked-off section in the press level of the Saddledome
- For each ticket purchased, the Flames donated $5 back to the association/participating team
World Ringette Championships
The 2017 World Ringette Championships took place from November 27 to December 3, 2017 in Mississauga.
Congratultions to our local athletes:
Senior Team – Shaundra Bruvall, Christianne Varty
Junior Team – Madison Bonsel, Jennica Murray, Rachel Ung
The Junior team won gold and the Senior team took silver.
Alberta Winter Games Team
The Alberta Winter Games were held in Wood Buffalo from February 16-19, 2018.
Congratulations to the following who attended from Calgary:
Zone 3 Officials
Caley Mineault
Kristi Puzkar
Jenna Swiatowski
Zone 3 Alberta Winter Games team:
Kira Hodge, Erin Brady, Lily McBride, Larissa Eifler, Tristan Earle, Tori Morris, Tana Morris, Maddie Schrauth, Grace Hardy, Jane Hardy, Alyssa Petropoulos, Isabella Gauvin, Devin Wells, Anne Yeomans, Rianne Caldwell, Presley Stradeski, Ashley Wager
Robin Morris – Head Coach, Reva Muise – Assistant Coach, Sam MacGregor – Assistant Coach, Darren Hardy – Assistant Coach
University Challenge Cup
The Calgary Dinos Ringette team made the trek to Guelph Ontario for the 2018 University Challenge Cup on Dec 26th .
There were 14 teams representing universities from as far east as Halifax.
The Dinos dominated the reigning champion University of Ottawa in the final game with a 6-0 win.
Executive: | |
President | Garry Kane |
Past President | Paul Geddes |
VP Administration | Laura Webb |
VP League | Thu Blackwell Jan Daunhauer |
VP Technical | Bill Graham |
VP Publicity | Tania Katay |
VP Finance | Tania McCormack |
Directors: | |
Planning Director | Erika Earle |
EGRT Liaison | Judy Renneberg |
Gaming Director | Lise Stradeski |
Officials Development | Bob Curran |
Sport Development | Bill Graham |
League Scheduling | Ray Harris |
Facilities DIrector | Adrian Shorter |
AA Rep | Kim Ung |
Bow View Rep | Kate Coolidge |
Northwest Rep | Tanya Graham Sonya Ventura |
South Calgary Rep | Daxton Lesko |
Calgary East Rep | Mary Pelland |
CORA Rep | Robyn Fraser |
Staff: | |
Administration | Marlayne Brandsgard |
Accountant | Gail Kerr |
Division Coordinators: | |
AS | Greg Otterson |
U10 | Tori Wohlfarth |
U12A | Tanis Budgell |
U12B | Jackie Babineau |
U12C | Chantelle Edwards |
U14 | Steve Griffin |
U16 | Jennifer Dunn |
U19 | Mary Pelland |
Open | Mary Pelland |
Officiating Committee: | |
Referee in Chief | Jaimie Nelson |
Referee Assignor | Kristi Puszkar |
Development Coordinator | |
Ringette Calgary Liaison | Bob Curran |
AA Committee: | |
President | Kim Ung |
VP League | Karen Murray |
VP Operations | Michele Wheeler |
VP Finance | Bev Brewster |
Secretary | Zara Hande |
Ringette Alberta Awards
At the 2018 Conference and Annual General Meeting, Ringette Alberta presented their 2017/2018 Ringette Alberta Awards to several outstanding individuals in our province. Congratulations to the following from Calgary:
Individual Youth Volunteerism Award:
Ringette Alberta’s Youth Volunteerism award is intended to recognize outstanding individuals under the age of 18 who have shown dedication to the sport of ringette. These volunteers have excelled even with the busy schedules of their young lives and understand the true value of sportsmanship and volunteerism.
Our 2018 recipient of the Youth Volunteerism Award enthusiastically stepped up to Junior Coach at 14 years old. She volunteered over 50 hours to her Junior team in addition to the commitment of her own U16B Bowview team.
On top of her ringette volunteering, she is very active in representing her school in debate and poetry reading at the Provincial level.
Her Bowview U10 team describes her as delightful, polite, courteous, confident, sunny, cheerful, kind, intelligent and self-composed.
Ringette Alberta is proud to announce Sarah Adam as our 2018 Youth Volunteer Award recipient.
Congratulations Sarah!
Friends of Ringette Awards:
These awards are given to recognize outstanding individuals that have shown dedication to the sport. Ringette Alberta would like to recognize 2 individuals that have done just that.
Our first recipient has been an outstanding volunteer with Bowview Ringette Association. She has been a board member for 4 years and a coach for 6 years and also serves as mentor for one our U14B coaches. She has single handedly hosted the Come Try Ringette for 3 years (sometimes twice a year), with typically the best attendance in Calgary and with one memorable event when the lights went out.
As our Jingle Ring Coordinator, she has been instrumental in it’s growing success over the last 4 years. She initiated our first Coach’s Appreciation Night which was extremely well received and contributes to the strength of our coaching network.
This recipient contributes enormously to Bowview’s club culture and everyone who meets her is inevitably has a better experience with ringette. She will, without hesitation, go out of her way to help others in promoting ringette. She drives our Come Try Ringette sticks and supplies to Canmore, Banff and Okotoks, and to Calgary Sport’s All Sport One Day events, plus many more.
She manages the annual Bowview Social fundraiser event and is planning a very special anniversary edition for Bow View’s 30th Anniversary. She demonstrates a deep passion for ringette and clear understanding of the need to have young women be involved in sports with female role models. She is able to rely on her years of playing and coaching when sharing her knowledge with up and coming young women. She spends countless hours volunteering her time and we can not thank her enough for her tireless contributions to our sport. Congratulations Melissa Kovatch!
Our second recipient has been a dedicated volunteer to the sport for many years. She is a tireless volunteer who is always the first to raise her hand when a job needs to be done. Her contributions to the sport have helped develop ringette at both the minor and adult levels in Calgary.
Her dedication to the Calgary East Ringette Association has spanned over 19 seasons. She is currently the President of Calgary East and has also filled the roles of Treasurer, Registrar and Team Manager, as well as sitting on the Lonnie Krahn Classic Tournament Committee.
Her volunteerism also extends outside her Association – she sits on the Ringette Calgary Board and the CORA Board, as well as her involvement on various sub-Committees (as U19 Coordinator) and the Esso Golden Ring Tournament Committee throughout the years.
Ringette Calgary and Ringette Alberta appreciates all the time, energy and passion she puts into the program. A big Thank you and Congratulations to Mary Pelland!
Ringette Excellence Award:
This award recognizes individuals that have made significant contributions towards showcasing the popularity of the sport, and outstanding lifelong achievement as a volunteer supporting and improving the sport of ringette.
Our Ringette Excellence award recipient has played ringette since she was a child in Saskatoon. She was also a ringette official since the mid 90’s, holding clinics throughout Saskatchewan and holding the Ref in Chief position in Saskatoon and Fort McMurray. She has been a coach with Bow View since 2013 and has been a board member for 3 years.
Our recipient is an excellent role model. She has a strong understanding of the game and ability to teach it. She has been nominated as coach of the year twice and has had an incredible impact as the VP of Coaching Development. Together with our president and the executive, she drafted a set of objectives for coaching selection that did not include any affirmative action. Through her positive and encouraging leadership style, she has inspired many experienced ringette players to use their knowledge and abilities to become head coaches. Bow View proudly has 20 out of 35 high quality head coaches in 2018 that are female. This represents significant progress in having female role models in our sport, without sacrificing any technical quality or selecting them on the basis of gender. This is largely due to her encouragement and support and setting strategic goals for the coaching body to operate as a group, as a network and to work with one another. The benefits are immediate, and obvious.
Our Ringette Excellence recipient consults with other senior coaches to strategically manage our coaching mentorship program that has also seen significant positive impact. A few years ago, we may have struggled with getting quality coaches in certain divisions or tiers. Now, we have more people willing to step up and coach because they know they are going to have access to a lot of resources and competent mentors. She promotes a team atmosphere not just on her own team but among the coaching personnel in the club. Her contributions are recognized, appreciated and far reaching. Congratulations to Chandra Otterson
WCRC Legacy Scholarship
The “2015 Western Canadian Ringette Championships Legacy Scholarships” were awarded at the Ringette Calgary Annual General Meeting on May 10th. Applicants were scored based on their commitment to the sport of Ringette through playing, coaching, officiating and other volunteer activities as well as school and community participation and service.
Congratulations to Emily Renneberg and Rachel Ung who each received $1000.
City Champions 2017-2018
U19B
SC Surge
BV Nova
U19B Provincials:
6th – South Calgary Surge
8th – Bowview Nova
Teams and Coaches
AS | |
CBV-AS2-1 Ice Crushers | Jenny Crawford |
CBV-AS2-2 Ice Cheetahs | John Halpen |
CBV-AS2-3 Starfires | Shauna Johns |
CER-AS2-Snow Cats | Don Morin |
CNW-AS2-1 Lightening Bolts | Shannon Smith |
CNW-AS2-2 Orange Fire | Stacey Clare |
CSO-AS2-1 | Shawn O'Grady |
CSO-AS2-2 | Pam Balderston |
U101 | |
CBV-U10S1-1 Her-icanes | Joel Manorek |
CBV-U10S1-2 Shredders | Nolan Weir |
CBV-U10S1-3 Rockets | Robyn Letts |
CER-U10S1-Mighty Grizzlies | Kelsey Stradeski |
CNW-U10S1-1 Sticksy Chix | David Scott |
CNW-U10S1-2 Rocket Girls | Kern Shepherd |
CNW-U10S1-3 Ring Robbers | Kris Aldag |
CSO-U10S1-1 | Stephen Miller |
CSO-U10S1-2 | Lisa Gritzfeldt |
CSO-U10S1-3 | Erin Hutchinson |
U102 | |
CBV-U10S2-1 Rocket Penguins | Anne MacDonald |
CBV-U10S2-2 Warriors | Chris Machnee |
CBV-U10S2-3 Snow Tigers | Keri Metzler |
CBV-U10S2-4 Fire & Ice | Shawn Earle |
CER-U10S2-Angels | Megan Fraser |
CNW-U10S2-1 Ring Crushers | Shannon Smith |
CNW-U10S2-2 Shooting Stars | Erin Macneill |
CNW-U10S2-3 Wolverines | Robyn Fraser |
CSO-U10S2-1 | Amanda Weisbeck |
CSO-U10S2-2 | Sean Siegers |
CSO-U10S2-3 | Paul Wilson |
CSO-U10S2-4 | Jason Kaiser |
U103 | |
CBV-U10S3-1 Boomerings | Bill Blackwell |
CBV-U10S3-2 Shooting Starzz | Derian Harvey |
CBV-U10S3-3 Chaos | Michelle Chemelli |
CNW-U10S3-1 Venom | Chelanne Murphy |
CNW-U10S3-2 Shock | Kevin Draper |
CSO-U10S3-1 | Geoff Cook |
CSO-U10S3-2 | Mike Landers |
CSO-U10S3-3 | Vince Niro |
U12A | |
CBV-U12A-1 Blitz | Rochelle Lequier |
CBV-U12A-2 Vipers | Shawnalee Redwood |
CBV-U12A-3 ATTACK | Tim Coninx |
CNW-U12A-1 Intensity | Tim Reitbauer |
CNW-U12A-2 - Edge | Curtis Stappler |
CSO-U12A1 | Daxton Lesko |
CSO-U12A2 | Greg Falconer |
U12B | |
CBV-U12B-1 Thunder | David Sorkilmo |
CBV-U12B-2 Blades | Trevor Wilkie |
CNW-U12B-1 - Havoc | Chris Lister |
CNW-U12B-2 Rage | Alex Bouma |
CNW-U12B-3 El Pase Libre | Trevor Budgell |
CSO-U12B1 | Kevin Sedran |
CSO-U12B2 | Myron Gelleta |
U12C | |
CBV-U12C-1 Vortex | Joanne Boettcher |
CBV-U12C-2 Ice Illusions | Terra Connors |
CBV-U12C-3 Devils | Rita Jones |
CER-U12C-Sharp Shooters | Shayne Smellie |
CNW-U12C-1 Fierce | Kevin Toth |
CNW-U12C-2 Frost Bite | Thomas Labelle |
CNW-U12C-3 Ring Robbers | Mike Kelm |
CSO-U12C1 | Kari Colpitts |
CSO-U12C2 | Darren Curran |
CSO-U12C3 | Kristie Bate |
U14A | |
CBV-U14A-1 Riot | Carl Heywood |
CBV-U14A-2 Edge | Deanne Thorhaug |
CBV-U14A-3 AC/DC | Greg Fitzpatrick |
CNW-U14A-1 Titanium | Lisa Florence |
CNW-U14A-2-Summit | Tanya Graham |
CSO-U14A1 | Garry Kane |
U14B | |
CBV-U14B-1 Velocity | Chandra Otterson |
CBV-U14B-2 Renegades | Cheryl Semple |
CBV-U14B-3 Blackout | Rayleen Chaskavich |
CBV-U14B-4 Inferno | Treva Hamlin |
CER-U14B-Shock | Carla Earl |
CNW-U14B-1 NRG | Lauren Stanley |
CNW-U14B-2 Outlaws | Scott Jacobsen |
CNW-U14B-3 Aftershock | Trevor Cochran |
CSO-U14B1 | Richard Hines |
CSO-U14B2 | Joleen Humphreys |
U16A | |
CBV-U16A-1 Rage | Dwayne Earle |
CBV-U16A-2 Royals | Mark Yeomans |
CNW-U16A-1 Force | Brad Audet |
CNW-U16A-2 NW X | Jody Welder |
CSO-U16A1 | Mark Lyle |
U16B | |
CBV-U16B-1 Phantom | Jaime Hatchette |
CBV-U16B-2 Adrenaline | Melissa Penman |
CBV-U16B-3 Lethal | Pinder Cheema |
CNW-U16B-1 Snipers | Pat Carley |
CNW-U16B-2 Impact | Brian Sugden |
CSO-U16B1 | Jim Postoloski |
CSO-U16B2 | Rick Laycock |
U19A | |
CBV-U19A-1 Fury | Robin Morris |
CNW-U19A-1 RED | Mike Good |
CNW-U19A-2 Mavericks | Kim Evans |
U19B | |
CBV-U19B-1 Nova | David Huck |
CNW-U19B-1 Vex | Trevor Alm |
CNW-U19B-2 Inferno | Darren Dillenbeck |
CSO-U19B1 | Justine Johnson |
Open A | |
Blitz | Jackie Richards |
Heat | Lindsey Moore |
IMPACT | Kim Fuller |
MRU Alumni | Steph Cook |
Red | Trina Janssens |
Surge | Lyndsay Clark |
U of Calgary | Ken Younger |
U of Lethbridge | Trevor Hall |
West Hillhurst US | Courtney Jaques |
Open B | |
Absolut | Steve Hutchison |
Avalanche | Jim Robinson |
Avalanche | Trevor Hall |
Blaze | Eric Forst |
Edge | Adrian Shorter |
FSU | Sue Benson |
Lions | Laura Niedermayer |
NW Assault | Breanna Coupland |
Olds | Lisa McQuiston |
Ruckus | Kristi Eldridge |
TW Defiance | Michele Caron |
TW Gladiators | Ed Wahl |
Open C | |
Bandits | Michelle Filipovic |
Cochrane Chaos | Colin Grusie |
Craze | Lori Pilling |
Fire | Melissa Penman |
Madhatters | Marnie Campbell |
NW Penguins | Terry Yasui |
Rockyford Ringers | Jill Kathol |
Rockyford Rush | Fred Armstrong |
Storm | Janell Arbour |
True North | Aron Shapiro |
Calgary’s AA Teams
Calgary Blue U14AA
Ava Bzeta
Brooke Desrosiers
Carmen Miko
Dayna Wayrynen
Haiden Pagotto
Jayden Thompson
Kaylee McKay
Lucy Bryden
Mia Hemstreet
Olivia Bruno
Regan Meier
Ruby Graham
Sofia Bruno
Susan Fountain
Taya Doree
Sherri Fountain
Phil Bruno
Trina Janssens
Michelle Bzeta
Grace Middketon
Rebecca Luyendyk
Calgary Red U14AA
Alivia Kuehner
Ashlee Coyes
Chloe Smith
Diana Coolidge
Jorja Stanlake-Duggan
Kylie Williams
Lauren Falconer
Lauren Over
MacKenna Werbowesky
Marissa Dyck
Olivia Sharpe
Shae McCallum
Skylar Earle
Sydnie Rock
Taryn Elvey
Staff:
Nicole Coyes
Carrie Williams
Dwayne Earle
Kim Stanlake-Cammer
Lyndsay Clark
Madison Ouwejan
Calgary White U14AA
Claire Lahey
Darrian Klimpke
Emily Dodd
Greta Doan
Jayana Downey
Kaela Snethun
Kate Gross
Kimberly Dunn
Lena Pirlot
Lilli Sauer
Lily Wilson
Nathalie Beland
Nicole Wood
Olivia McKnight
Ruby Boswell
Bill Dodd
Leigh Sauer
Kim Snethun
Sarah Lesperance
Terese Mazurkewich
Natasha Harding
Shawnda Lahey
Calgary Riot U16AA
Campton Hancock
Chloe Fisher
Darci Cowan
Faith Boyer
Kate Robichaud
Kiana Adams
Laila Comessotti
Lindsay Jone
Mikyla Brewster
Natalia Kryzalka
Rachael McKerracher
Sydney Williams
Teagan Shinkewski
Carrie Williams
Terry Shinkewski
Paul Comessotti
Shelby Brennan
Siobhan Taylor
Laurie McKerracher
Robyn Boyer
Calgary Shock U16AA
Ava Dennis
Brooke Lamont
Callie Dawes
Danika Ewen
Emily Waterman
Gracie Brown
Hailee Parsons
Jessie Braithwaite
Kayla Dempsey
Kirsten Dempsey
McKenna Despins
Sydney Tisdale
Tyalr Knaus
Paul Dempsey
Marty Braithwaite
Katie Franczak
Lindsey Kee
Darrah Leonard
Rachel Crisby
Mary-Kay Knaus
Calgary Surge U16AA
Brooke Armstrong
Brynn Nesbitt
Cayleigh Hasell
Chanelle Smith
Charlotte Gosselin
Erin Ung
Kennedy Kryvenchuk
Kennedy Turgeon
Lindsay Johnstone
Maddy Loh
Megan McCulloch
Mia Thiessen
Taylor Wiebe
Scott Armstrong
Jeff Nesbitt
Tori George
Ellen Hoban
Caley Mineault
Calgary Heat U19AA
Dyck Rachael
Grace Middleton
Ireland Moro
Kaitlin Hetland
Mackenzie Brewin
Madison Istace
Marla Wheeler
Meagan MCCullough
Oceane Rosenberg
Shaelyn Corasiniti
Taylor Frank
Teghan Morison
Victoria Little
Corinne Middleton
Jessica Middleton
Lauren Chown
Scott Armstrong
Gareth McCullough
Calgary Strive U19AA
Ann Sauve
Brooklyn Murray
Daylen Wathen
Dominique Sobush
Emily Foster
Jazmine Waldal
Jenna Wolsey
Julia Foster
Kat Eamon
Maddy Galeski
Melissa Richard
Regan Gellatly
Regan Kane
Murray Pettam
Scott Wolsey
Chelsey Butt
Devon Lowe
Stephen Murray
Meagan Dyck
Forward:
Terese Mazurkewich
Lauren Chown
Justine Exner
Shaundra Bruvall
Tori Hart
Rickey-Lee Devries
Lindsey Geddes
Defence:
Nicole Prokop
Rachel Ung
Paola Romeo
Tori George
Madison Bonsel
Rachel Grant
Jennica Murray
Rylie Hart
Goalies:
Bobbi Mattson
Ellen Hoban
Staff:
Paul Geddes
Grant Exner
Beth Veale
Lindsey Lovse
Calgary RATH finished 4th in the 2018 National Ringette League.
Alberta's NRL Award Winners:
Most Valuable Player: Shaundra Bruvall
Coaching Staff of the Year: Calgary RATH
HC Paul Geddes, AC Grant Exner & AC Trina Janssens
That’s the Spirit!
NW U14A Summit shared a buddy skate with NW U10S1 Rocket Girls---it was a great morning of NW Friends First Ringette Spirit.
NW Titanium collected diapers in the month of December for the Children's Cottage.
Esso Golden Ring
The 32nd Esso Golden Ring was held January 19-21, 2018 and hosted Active Start through U19 divisions. There were 187 teams in 17 different divisions including 2 NRL teams.
- There were 370 Games on 497 hours of ice.
- Participants in the 2018 Esso Golden Ring received a souvenir poster, a pen and a custom bag tag. In addition, coaches packages contained misc. coupons, chips, and donated items.
- All AS/U10S1/U10S2 teams (39) received participation medals for their friendship series.
- The U10S3 division participated in medal rounds for the first time.
- The e-program was available online
Level | Calgary teams |
AB | BC | SK | MB | total out of town |
# in draw |
# of games |
AS | 8 | 0 | 8 | 12 | ||||
U10-1 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 20 | |||
U10-2 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 27 | |||
U10-3 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 25 | ||
U12 A | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 25 | |
U12 B | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 25 | ||
U12 C | 10 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 25 | |||
U14 AA | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 19 | |
U14 A | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 25 | |
U14 B | 10 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 31 | |||
U16 AA | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 27 | |
U16 A | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 25 | |
U16 B | 7 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 25 | |||
U19 AA | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 16 | ||
U19 A | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 25 | |
U19 B | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 15 | ||
Open AA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
106 | 56 | 9 | 15 | 1 | 81 | 187 | 370 |
Teams registered 2611 players and 1054 coaches.
In addition there are more than 100 referees, 371 Arena Volunteers, 126 Minor Official Volunteers, 64 Shot Clock Volunteers and 21 Tournament Committee Members.
Tournament Committee: | |
Judy Renneberg | Jocelyn Beswick |
Colleen Strachan | John Mader |
Carolyn Sharpe | Kathy Oke |
Carrie Smith | Laura Webb |
Cassandra Drouin | Matt Loh |
Charlene Hobbs | Warren Kee |
Christine Somer | Nicole Bigelow |
Joan Hill | Pat Yelle |
Kathie Lewis-Welsh | Sharon Hul |
Erin Shaw | Kelly Cayer |
Jason McCallum |
CORA Calgary Classic
The 7th Annual CORA Calgary Classic was held January 25-28, 2018 at Winsport Arena - Canada Olympic Park.
The tournament hosted 48 teams from the Open Division:
Open A - 16 teams
Open B - 16 teams
Open C - 16 teams
2018 CORA Calgary Classic Champions | ||
Open A | Calgary Heat (0) | |
Open B | Calgary Edge (8) | Calgary Avalanche (2) |
Open C | Calgary Storm (4) | Rockyford Rush (2) |
Ringette Calgary’s 40th Season
by: Jocelyn Beswick, Esso Golden Ring Publicity Coordinator
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Ringette Calgary, so we interviewed a few long-standing members of Ringette Calgary about their continued devotion to the organization and what exactly Ringette Calgary means to them. We also discussed their involvement in the Esso Golden Ring Tournament, as well as their journey through the sport of Ringette from childhood to adulthood and the evolution of the sport throughout those years.
Laura Webb started playing ringette when she was 12 in Spruce Grove, then moved to Calgary in 1980 for college and played for the first “Belle Rep” team in Calgary. In 1981 Laura joined the board of Ringette Calgary as Publicity Director. Since becoming a member of Ringette Calgary 32 years ago she has loved every challenge and experience this organization has fulfilled in her career in Ringette, as a player, coach, board and committee member.
“Always the best memories [of Ringette Calgary] are the friends that you make […] but my best memory was when we first hosted the 1990 Ringette Championship. Calgary won in all divisions, still unprecedented. A pretty proud moment for Calgary.”
Marlayne Brandsgard started playing Ringette in Thorncliffe in 1977, the first year it was introduced in Calgary. She played on Calgary’s first “Belle Rep Team” in 1980 and the first “Deb Rep Team” in 1981. She attended several Canadian Ringette Championships and has since coached and managed teams. As well, her daughter played throughout the years and is a coach now as well. In 1992 she became the second employee of Ringette Calgary at a part-time level to assist the accountant and she hasn’t ever left! Throughout the years she has volunteered on the NW Board and several subcommittees, as well as for 12 years on the Esso Golden Ring committee. In her own words, “I really enjoy the job, the people, the Board I work for every year, all the volunteers. It is a great organization – I love it. Ringette has always been a passion.”
The constant themes throughout both interviews were universal and pervasive:
Passion: throughout their lives ringette is a constant, each volunteer involved in the sport is passionate about the sport and also about their involvement. Laura fondly reminisces about her involvement in Ringette throughout the years, “this sport and organization is about the friends you make and the relationships you have throughout the years, why their continued involvement is apparent. The truly special thing is I coached for many years […] really neat to see the players I have coached coaching their own daughters now.” Marlayne warmly remembers, “the friendships, the long-lasting friendships I have made with people and to me it is always about the passion the volunteers have for the sport and the amount of time they are willing to put in – overall a good feel.” Both mentioned how thy have found, cultivated and created friendships for life through this organization and this sport.
Leadership: Ringette Calgary as an organization demonstrates continued leadership within the Ringette community, in Calgary but also recognized regionally for their leadership and commitment to the sport and their athletes. “All quadrants [of Ringette Calgary] work together […] especially AA level,” explains Laura. “You can’t have the high-level programs without the base programs. Ringette Calgary ensures that [there is a partnership] between all quadrants.” Relationships are facilitated by this organization throughout all levels of the sport and within the sports community. “Communication amongst our members and the transparency of the association and how it runs is fantastic,” continues Laura. “[With the advancement in technology over the years] social media helps to engage the players as well.”
Legacy: Ringette Calgary is creating a foundation for Ringette in Calgary, and together with the aforementioned leadership, combines to fulfill the foundation the athletes require in the community for continued support of their Ringette careers. Laura remembers the creation of the Ringette Calgary office, “started off with one person, then Marlayne was hired to help,” as a groundwork of the legacy that is Ringette Calgary today. Marlayne has seen throughout the years that, “Ringette Calgary always strives to work together,” the best example, in her opinion is the creation of the, “Ringette Rodeo single-handedly by one volunteer. Kids are coming out and didn’t realize the sport is played on the ice.” The Ringette Rodeo offers ringette gear for those that otherwise would not be able to participate or continue to participate in the game.
Regarding the Esso Golden Ring Tournament specifically, Laura went into the vault and found her favorite memory was to, “go to the bunnies/U7 game, reminds me they are the next generation, reminds me what I am doing it for. Those kids are so happy and I get such a charge of their jerseys hanging down to their knees […] and they go on the ice in packs […] something always makes you smile when you watch the little ones.” Her fondest memory from an organizer standpoint was, “the camaraderie of the committee about 15-20 years ago […] there was a snowstorm and the highways were closed in the mountains. Teams from BC couldn’t get here so that night members of the committee sat down and redid all the scheduling and the game sheets […] everyone pitched in and stayed up all night […] all the new schedules were taken to the coaches at the arenas […] unbelievable we could pull that off.”
Marlayne herself has played in the Esso Golden Ring, as well as coached or watched her daughter play, and her favorite memory, “is the overall excitement [with my family] or in the office. Coming together of all the teams […] on registration night every year everyone comes in excited. That high energy is something I get such a charge out of.” She wanted to send out kudos to all the volunteers, “I get emails afterwards saying it is such a well- run tournament and people are happy to be a part of it.” Overall, we can see that the Esso Golden Ring and Ringette Calgary are important parts of the Ringette Community and of the people involved, each journey is full of passion, leadership and legacy within the community and we all feel blessed to be part of such a great organization.