For Parents

Thank you for choosing ringette for your child. They are in good hands - we help build strong, fit, and confident athletes.

Our goal is to provide your child with a safe and fun environment so they may fall in love with ringette and be active for life. As well, our goal is to also help your child become their very best on and off the ice.

Stage Based Structure

We have moved towards a “stage-based” structure for Active Start and U10 to ensure athletes are placed in an environment that is optimal for their long-term development.

Traditionally, athletes have been grouped by chronological age despite children developing at different rates and not always fitting into a strict age-based structure.

The goal of a stage-based approach is to match your child’s needs today with a program that meets their needs today. 

Through the next few years, do not expect your child to progress through each step in a linear fashion. It is normal for children to remain at a stage only to catch up in subsequent seasons or, conversely, to be a little ahead of the curve now but not remain so in the future, or your child may progress linearly. 

If you would like additional information on long term athlete development principles visit CanadianSportforLife.ca .

GENERIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

STAGE: ACTIVE START 

Active Start 

• Approximately 1-2 ice times per week.
• Introduction and primary focus: skating, ring handling, passing, checking, shooting, small area games.
• Emphasis on active involvement, participation, and FUN.
• Introduce the concept of informal games in a 1/2 or cross-ice format. No scorekeeping.
• Participation in the Silver Ring tournament at the Active Start level.
• Season - early/mid October to end of February/early March (approx. 22 weeks).
• Volunteers are a big part of what makes a successful ringette team. We are always looking for coaches and assistant coaches to help out, especially at this level.

STAGE: FUNDAMENTALS

 U10 - Step 1

• 1-2 ice times per week will include a combination of practice and games depending on the league game schedule.
• Fundamental skills development focus including skating skills, ringette skills, and basic goalie instruction for all players.
• Emphasis on active involvement, participation, and FUN
• Half ice games with a focus on basic concepts, rules, and flow of the game.
• Game format should be structured to maximize “time on the ring” for each player.
• Coaches on the ice during games.
• Tournament participation is restricted to the Silver Ring tournament and one other tournament close to home.
• Season - early September to early March (approx. 25 weeks).
• Volunteers are a big part of what makes a successful ringette team. We are always looking for coaches and assistant coaches to help out, especially at this level.

U10 - Step 2

As above plus...

• Continue to refine skills and to understand game concepts.
• Tournament participation is restricted to the Silver Ring tournament and one other tournament, which can be a travel tournament.
• Season - early September to early March (approx. 25 weeks).
• Volunteers are a big part of what makes a successful ringette team. We are always looking for coaches and assistant coaches to help out, especially at this level.

STAGE: LEARN TO TRAIN EARLY

 U10 - Step 3

• Can execute most skills in U10-Step 2 plus understands the game concepts very well.
• Maturity of the athlete indicates readiness for Learn to Train early.
• Full ice games with a focus on position play and basic ringette rules.
• Referees will be on the ice with penalties awarded.
• Coaches are not on the ice.
• Tournament participation is restricted to the Silver Ring tournament and one other tournament, which can be a travel tournament.
• Season - early September to early March (approx. 25 weeks).