Ringette is an ice sport where two teams compete by passing a rubber ring using straight sticks, with the objective of scoring by hitting the ring into the opponent's net.
Originating in Canada, ringette has evolved to offer a competitive, no-contact alternative to ice hockey, designed to empower female athletes while later embracing inclusivity for all genders.
In 1963, ringette was invented by Sam Jacks of West Ferris and Mirl (Red) McCarthy from Espanola, Ontario. In response to the exclusion of women from contact sports like hockey, Jacks sought to create a game that emphasized speed, strategy, and skill without the aggressive physical collisions common in ice hockey. The first rules were developed shortly after the sport's inception, and organized play began in northern Ontario by the mid-1960s. Early tournaments in Quebec and Ontario helped fuel the sport's popularity, laying the groundwork for its continued evolution.
During the 1970s, ringette spread throughout Canada, with communities establishing local associations and organizing tournaments. Ringette Canada was founded in 1974 to formalize the sport on a national level. The 1980s saw the sport moving beyond Canadian boundaries, and it gained international traction when the International Ringette Federation was established in 1986 by representatives from Canada, Finland, France, Sweden, and the United States. Today, while ringette remains most popular in Canada, it has gained significant popularity in Finland. Competitive ringette activities are growing in Sweden, the United States, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Ringette is played on an arena similar to an ice hockey rink. However, its markings are distinct and tailored to the sport's unique style. The typical ringette rink measures around 85 feet in width and 200 feet in length, complete with rounded corners that promote fluid movement. The playing surface is divided into three zones (defending, neutral, and attacking) that help structure both offensive and defensive strategies. Key features include the blue lines that regulate the passing of the ring, the free play (ringette) line that demarcates a zone where only a limited number of players may venture, and the goal crease that protects the goaltender's space from other players.
In ringette, the emphasis is on skillful ring handling with a straight stick, equipped with a drag tip, to propel a pneumatic, rubber ring across the ice toward the opposing net. Each team fields six players, a goaltender, and five skaters, who are often arranged in roles similar to those in ice hockey, including forwards, defenders, and a centre. The sport's strict no-body-contact rule differentiates it further from ice hockey, emphasizing teamwork, precision passing, and strategic positioning. Essential rules, such as the prohibition against carrying the ring over the blue line and the regulation limiting the number of players who can occupy the free play area, are designed to sustain the flow of play and discourage overly physical tactics. Player safety is a distinctive aspect of the game.
Ringette has inspired variants that extend its appeal beyond the winter season. For example, in-line ringette adapts the fast-paced gameplay for use on inline skates, while gym ringette brings the sport's core elements into an indoor, floor-based setting. This allows for year-round participation while preserving the fundamental principles of ringette.
Originally designed as a female-centric sport to create safe and inclusive athletic opportunities for women, ringette has gradually evolved to include participants of all gender identities. While the historical context of its creation was rooted in addressing the gender disparities in ice sports, contemporary guidelines now accommodate male participation in both mixed and male-only teams. However, its policies also allow for the formation of female-only competitions.
Nevertheless, there remains a social stigma attached to men playing ringette. Although there were approximately 700 men playing ringette in Canada during the 2013-14 season, that number has since dropped significantly.
Topics related to the sport of ringette are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The competitive ringette organization is based in Calgary, serving as a central hub for elite development of the sport. The club fields teams across a wide range of age and skill brackets, from U10 through U19, with divisions often designated by colors, such as blue and red, and levels like Gold and Silver. The site features real-time game updates, scores, and detailed scheduling information. The club hosts regional tournaments for teams across the region. Contacts are included.
https://selectsathlete.com/
CMRA promotes the sport of ringette in the local area, which includes Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra, in British Columbia, Canada. It provides opportunities for players, starting as young as five years old. CMRA hosts major competitions and events, as well as coaching, training, and various community activities. Its rinks, volunteer opportunities, training information and resources, tournament schedules, and contacts are posted, and used equipment may be available.
https://www.coqmoodyringette.com/
Based in Canada, in key locations such as Regina and Winnipeg, ERT is a training program designed to elevate the skills and competitive edge of ringette athletes through specialized camps, clinics, and training sessions. Their programs are designed for different seasons, including summer, winter, and AA preparatory camps, to enhance not just skating, shooting, and agility, but also strength, cardio, and overall game strategy. Its methodologies are outlined here.
https://eliteringettetraining.com/
The Esso Golden Ring is an acclaimed ringette tournament held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Sponsored by Esso and organized by Ringette Calgary, the event brings together teams in various age divisions, ranging from U10 to the more competitive U12, U14, U16, and U19 brackets. Participants showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The tournament typically takes place in January and has become a community event, with festivities, raffles, and other events besides the competition.
https://essogoldenring.ca/
International Ringette Federation
The IRF is a non-profit amateur sports organization and the highest governing body for the sport of ringette. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, its board is represented by members of four nations: Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. Founded in 1991 as the World Ringette Council, its name was changed that same year to avoid confusion with the World Ringette Championships tournament, which shared the same acronym. Resources for players and officials are featured.
https://international-ringette-fed.squarespace.com/
The website features coaching insights and drills designed specifically for the sport of ringette, including skating fundamentals, offensive movement, defensive positioning, and goalkeeping nuances, all designed to help players and coaches elevate their game through practical, field-tested drills engineered to meet the needs of teams with varying numbers of athletes and different ice availabilities, free and premium. An online store and an informational blog are included.
https://www.ringettetips.com/
The organization offers ringette camps across Canada that aim to develop the skills of young athletes, both on and off the ice. Its summer camps feature a comprehensive on-ice curriculum, designed with input from experts like Lisa Clark of Clark Power Skating, that focuses on enhancing skating speed, puck control, passing accuracy, goal scoring, and overall game intelligence. Other programs cover nutrition, mental toughness training, fitness, strategy, and team building.
https://nationalringetteschool.com/
Catering to the development of ringette players at various levels, from beginners to advanced (AA) levels, the academy's programs are focused not only on ice skills but also on the mental, leadership, and teamwork aspects of the sport. The academy works through summer camps, clinics, and coaching conferences, hosting summer camps across Southern Ontario, each tailored to specific age groups and abilities. Online registrations, contacts, and a mailing list are available.
http://www.peakringette.com/
RRA is the governing body and community hub dedicated to promoting, organizing, and developing the sport of ringette in Regina, Saskatchewan. The association coordinates teams and competitions throughout the season. Also, it offers a range of programs, from learn-to-play fundamentals for novice players to advanced training for experienced field players and goalies. Tournament schedules, league play, and competitive events are listed on its website, along with outreach activities.
https://reginaringette.com/
Established in 1974, Ringette Canada is the national governing body for the sport of ringette in Canada. Headquartered in Ottawa, it is responsible for organizing and promoting ringette on a nationwide basis, as well as overseeing Canada's semi-professional ringette league, the National Ringette League. It is a member of the International Ringette Federation. Its governing structure, partners, bylaws, policies, events, contacts, and online registrations are provided.
https://www.ringette.ca/
The non-profit initiative is based in Ottawa, Ontario. It promotes the sport of ringette among women 18 and older. Designed for beginners, intermediate, and advanced-level players, the organization offers a range of programs, clinics, and power skating sessions to help participants develop their skills on the ice. Their outreach efforts, initiatives, community support, partners, and online booking information are available on their website, along with contact details.
https://www.ringetteforlife.com/
Serving as a central hub where ringette players can find a wide range of resources, including instructional content and tips, such as goalie books, drills, and detailed goalie tips that help players improve their skills on the ice, as well as curated training camps and clinics featuring structured training, on-ice sessions, and pre- and post-ice warm-ups and cool-downs, covering all aspects necessary to elevate a goalie's performance in ringette. Photos and a goalie spotlight are included.
https://www.ringettegoalies.com/
The online hub is dedicated to broadcasting ringette events live and on demand. The site serves as a convenient destination for live matches, replays, and detailed game schedules, including local league contests and major championships such as the Canadian Ringette Championships. Ringette Live is also available on platforms like Roku, and. has a presence on YouTube and other social media as well, where they share live streams, highlights, and other content. System requirements are noted.
https://ringette.live/
The provincial authority for the sport of ringette is charged with promoting the sport through communication, advocacy, development, and organizing competitions. Its website serves as a hub for the ringette community in Manitoba, offering resources for players, coaches, officials, and families, including contact details, game schedules, league standings, player development camps, and tournament listings. General information and rules for the game are included.
https://ringettemanitoba.ca/
Responsible for the promotion, development, and governance of ringette across Ontario, Canada, Ringette Ontario hosts various competitions, including the Provincial AA Championships, the Provincial A Championships, and the U12 Championships, which are highlighted on its website, along with its governance structure, contacts data, strategic plan, partners, and resources for athletes, coaches, officials, and member resources, including an online shopping area.
https://www.ringetteontario.com/
The official online platform for the sport of ringette in the province, the website features current news on scholarships and tournaments, including application and registration periods, updates on championships, final standings, and scores, as well as goalie tips, safe sport policies, and resources for both players and officials. Other resources include information on local competitions and opportunities for people to get involved in the sport. An online store is included.
http://www.ringettesask.com/
The United States national ringette team (Team USA) represents the United States internationally. Currently, the U.S. has only one national ringette team, Team USA Senior, and does not have an official national ringette team for the junior division. Team USA Senior is overseen by USA Ringette, a member of the International Ringette Federation, and competes at the World Ringette Championships. Memberships and participation are discussed, accompanied by photos, and contacts are provided.
https://teamusaringette.com/
