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Ringette

sports Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Ringette is a fast and exciting winter team sport.

National Ringette League 03
National Ringette League 03

It is played on an ice rink by two teams. The main goal is to score more points than the other team. Players do this by shooting a blue, rubber ring into the opponent's net. This ring is hollow and filled with air, which is called pneumatic. While it looks like ice hockey, the way players move is more like basketball or lacrosse. The sport was once made just for girls, but now people of all gender identities play it. It is a game built on speed, skill, and teamwork.

Ilves vs Lahti ringette
Ilves vs Lahti ringette

To play, athletes wear ice hockey skates and special protective gear. They use a straight stick with a tapered end. These sticks have metal or plastic drag-tips with grooves. These grooves help players shoot the ring with more speed and lift. Each team has six players on the ice at once. These players include one centre, two forwards, two defenders, and one goaltender. The goaltender is the only person allowed to touch the ring with their hands. However, they must stay inside a special semi-circular area called the crease.

Montreal Mission 12 février 2012 121
Montreal Mission 12 février 2012 121

Ringette has a very interesting history. Two men named Sam Jacks and Red McCarthy created the sport. They lived in Ontario, Canada, and started the game in 1963. Since then, the sport has grown very large. In 2018, more than 50,000 people in Canada signed up to play or help. This includes over 30,000 players, plus coaches and officials. The sport has even spread to places like the United Arab Emirates. The first international tournament for ringette was held in Finland in 1986.

Ringettecrest1966
Ringettecrest1966

There are many specific rules that make ringette unique. For example, there is a blue line rule. Players cannot carry the ring over the blue lines that divide the ice. Instead, they must pass the ring to a teammate to move it forward. This keeps the game moving very quickly. There is also a 30-second shot clock to prevent players from waiting too long. This rule was first used in Canada in 2002. In high-level games, the match is split into four 13-minute quarters.

Patin hockey goalie
Patin hockey goalie

Today, ringette is a major sport in several countries. It is a national pastime in both Canada and Finland. The International Ringette Federation organizes the World Ringette Championships. Canadian and Finnish teams are often the most successful in these big contests. Other countries like Sweden, the United States, and the Czech Republic also have national teams. Some players even play at a semi-professional level. In Canada, the sport is even part of the Canada Winter Games. It is a wonderful way for people to connect through sport.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Montreal Mission 12 février 2012 121.jpg
Montreal Mission 12 février 2012 121.jpg
File:Patin hockey goalie.jpg
Patin hockey goalie.jpg
File:Ringettecrest1966.jpg
Ringettecrest1966.jpg
File:National Ringette League 03.jpg
National Ringette League 03.jpg
File:Juhani-Wahlsten-1962.jpg
Juhani-Wahlsten-1962.jpg
File:Ilves vs Lahti ringette.jpg
Ilves vs Lahti ringette.jpg
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