What is Ringette?

This information page is addressed to the parents of all players but especially to the parents of first time players. GCRA offers excellent programs for children new to the sport, and we continually strive to make them even better.  One of the many values of our sport is that Ringette players learn valuable life skills in the social aspects of a team sport, and in joining Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette, your child will become a member of a team and have the opportunity to make new friends!  The following information is provided to help orient you to our programs. Our Phone Number, email address and links are provided below to assist you in learning about what the Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette Association is all about and what it has to offer.

Does my child have to know how to skate?

No!  Absolutely Not!  Among the many benefits of our sport is that Ringette players become very good skaters. With no offsides and no intentional rough body contact, players develop their skating skills early either as team members in one of our entry level Team Programs, or in our Learn to Skate Program for younger children, appropriately nicknamed the Bunny School. We offer one hour Learn to Skate sessions  for young players 4 to 6 years old. Entry Level teams in our U10, U9 and U8 age divisions. 

When does it start?

Our Bunny Program runs from October to March. Participants are contacted approximately two weeks ahead of time.  Players get lots of individual attention and progress at their own rate. The sessions are non-competitive and fun. Every player wears a Bunny School sweater and enjoys being part of the ‘team’.

For the rest of our players, the season starts in September and lasts until late March. Your daughter will be on a team with girls of the same age and skill. Skill levels range from Recreational to Competitive AA. Age Groups for players playing on a team in a League start at U8, division and move up through the divisions as they grow, U9, U10, U12, U14, U16 and finally U19.

• Bunny School is purely a learn to skate program until Christmas. It is geared mainly for children with little or no skating skills at all. While there are kids as young as 4 in the program, the vast majority are 5, and 6 year olds. There are some 4 year olds that will turn 5 and some 6 year olds that will turn 7 before the season is over.
• After Christmas they start to add a few ring handling skills to the mix and by the end of the season they will play some games (cross ice games with one to three games going on at once on the big ice surface) a highlight of their season is  playing demonstration games in the Gloucester-Cumberland Tournament in February. Their season ends with a huge Bunnyfest event, where all Bunny programs from the area get together to play games and participate in fun off ice activities.
• The U8, U9 and U10 Novice Age Division (9 and under), is the first age group of formal teams that play in a league. In Gloucester-Cumberland this is one of our most populated age groups and as a result we usually have multiple teams at each age division in the the National Capital Regional Ringette League (NCRRL) Novice Division, where our teams play. We anticipate much the same thing this season. 
• The U8 and U9 Novice teams are for beginners and have many players who have never played or skated before. They are mostly 7 and 8 year olds with a few 6 year olds that parents felt that the Learn to Skate Program might be boring for them, such as players that already or been in Bunny School for a few years and parents and coaches agree they are ready to advance. The instructors at the Bunny School and the coaches in the Novice Program are very honest and straightforward about the skating skill level of the girls and earnestly try to place them in the program they think will do them the most good. U10 are mostly 9 year olds and exceptionally good 7 and 8 year olds.
• The U12 Age Division in the NCRRL is split into three different skill level U12 Provincial Blue, U12 Provincial Red and U12 Regional. The Provincial divisions are for competitive level teams.  Our U12 Regional teams are balanced teams that play games in the NCCRL.  Teams can expect one game and one practice per week. Teams could travel to Kingston or Upper Ottawa Valley to play games as these communities are also part of the NCRRL.  

Team Placement

Team placement is decided by a group of evaluators and the selection process is governed by a set of criteria. During the first few ice sessions, the coaches and evaluators will be looking at players with a view to assigning them to teams. It is important that the girls attend all of these initial ice practices so they can be evaluated and placed on the team that best suits their experience and playing ability. For competitive teams there is a tryout process. Being on a competitive team requires more ice time, more money and, particularly, more commitment from the players and parents. These sessions are critical so please ensure your daughter attends all of them.  A link to this year’s Tryouts and Team Placement Ice Times can be found on the Front Page of our Website.

What equipment do they need?

• elbow pads
• shoulder pads
• neck guard, ringette girdle & ringette pant (or hockey pants)
• shin pads
• ringette/hockey gloves
• hockey-style skates
• helmet with a ringette face mask (different than hockey)

**GCRA Plays in the NCRRL.  **Mouth guards are recommeded for all levels of play within the NCRRL**

How much does it cost to register?

* Cost: Cost changes each season. 
 See Registration page for information about fees.

What does my registration fee pay for?

The registration fees pay for regular ice time for games and practices, referees, insurance, team equipment and sweaters, training for coaches, managers and referees, fees to Regional and Provincial Ringette Associations and other administrative costs such as postage, printing, advertising and phone bills.

How and when do I register?

Notices will be posted in local newspapers, here on this page, and on the Front Page of the GCRA Website.

Can I register after formal registration is over, or after the season starts?

Yes, provided space is still available on established teams. Contact the Phone Number below or the email address for immediate answers.  If there isn’t space on one of our established teams at your daughter’s age group or level, we will assist you in finding a place for her to play. It’s almost never too late! And it’s certainly NEVER too late to ask. . .

Do you have more Questions?

Phone or E-mail Comments or Questions about GCRA’s Programs to the VP of Novice and Bunnies

 

Additional Information for New Parents

The Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette Association (GCRA) is operated entirely by volunteers. Our GCRA volunteers act as coaches, team managers, executives, fund raisers, scorekeepers and tournament organizers. Our executive and volunteer contact list is provided here for your information.

Policies and Procedures

Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette has a well established set of Policies and Procedures for how to deal with things that come up year after year such as Coaching Selection, Ice Allocation, Out of Area  and Financial Administration.

For example, each year issues arise with regard to players being asked to play up in an older age group. Another example is with regard to players from neighbouring Associations playing on our teams.

We believe that if it is in the best interest of the players that if the circumstances justify it, players should be given the opportunity to be moved during the course of the year to a team at a higher level. This usually occurs when a player clearly demonstrates that she is of a caliber that justifies such a move. As well, in some situations, there are insufficient numbers to field a team at a particular level. In those circumstances we will look to neighboring Associations for players. On occasion, neighboring Associations are unable to field a team and request that we attempt to accommodate players from their jurisdiction who cannot be placed on a team at their level of play. In those circumstances, we will accept such players who demonstrate the necessary skills and if there are not enough Gloucester-Cumberland players of a similar caliber trying out for the team.

As well, there are policies to deal with, Discipline, Harassment, and Appeals should they ever become necessary.

Parent involvement in Coaching Philosophy and Team Administrative Matters

Once the teams are selected, the coaches will meet with the parents to discuss the coaching philosophy for the team and administrative matters such as tournaments to be entered during the season, fund raising for tournaments and extra ice time and other issues of team concern. Parents are encouraged to ask questions and communicate their suggestions to the coaches.

Volunteers

Every year GCRA hosts a tournament. This event is a major fund raiser for the Association and requires help from every member prior to and during the tournament.