This season, Ringette Calgary began offering a Ringette for All (RFA) program for children with cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Through an inclusive, safe, and fun environment, RFA players learned the fundamentals of the sport as well as developed life skills that will benefit them in and out of the rink. RFA’s objective is not competition.
Any player, aged 8-18, with a developmental and/or physical disability was welcome.

Ringette For All Calgary’s season began on October 24^th, 2021 with 5 players and multiple volunteers. In November we grew to 8 players and added more enthusiastic volunteers!

Our safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment has supported players in overcoming fears, anxieties, and sensory challenges. At the start of the season players relied heavily on the support of our volunteers and equipment to get on the ice. As we start to wind down we have the privilege of witnessing players evolving and developing confidence and independence on and off the ice.

Every week we have the honour of celebrating the exemplary successes of our players as individuals and as athletes. Not only have we seen tremendous improvements in their skating abilities, but each player has also excelled in their passing and shooting skills. Beyond their ringette abilities, each player has gained a sense of belonging to an incredible team and community creating friendships and perseverance.

We are greeted with smiles, fist bumps, and excitement the minute team RFA walks into the rink. Players look for the RFA sign on their dressing room door to enter and gear up in. Our volunteers always arrive eager and are on the ice with enthusiasm as the players walk down the hallway, past the bench, and step out onto the ice in their RFA jerseys ready to have fun!

Team RFA has the best fans! We watch parents’ smiles grow and hear them cheer as they see their children having fun with their teammates while mastering all sorts of new skills. Beyond the parents, friends and grandparents of our players show up weekly to watch and cheer on Team RFA as well! Watching our ringette community grow is very inspiring.