Ringette is a fast-paced, non-contact winter team sport played on ice, designed primarily for girls and women, though it is open to all. Invented in 1963 in Northern Ontario, ringette emphasizes teamwork, speed, and skill rather than body contact. Although it shares similarities with hockey in terms of playing surface and equipment, ringette has its own unique rules and style of play.
Instead of a puck, players use a rubber ring and straight sticks with tapered tips to pass, shoot, and carry the ring. The game promotes passing, skating, and strategic play, with an emphasis on equal participation and player development. Ringette is played at recreational, competitive, and elite levels across Canada and internationally.
Ringette was created in 1963 as a new winter sport designed specifically for girls. Sam Jacks, then Director of Parks and Recreation in North Bay, introduced the idea through the Northern Ontario Recreation Directors Association. The sport’s first official rules were developed in Espanola by Red McCarthy, who organized and tested the game with local high school girls. These early efforts laid the groundwork for what would become one of Canada’s most enduring contributions to women’s sport.
Sudbury quickly emerged as a leader in the sport’s development. In 1964-65, the city launched the first formal ringette league with four playground teams managed by Diana Heit through the Sudbury Parks and Recreation Department. In 1966, Sudbury hosted one of the earliest major tournaments, drawing teams from North Bay, Temiscaming, and surrounding communities to compete in a regional championship.
A central figure in Sudbury’s ringette history was Shirley Holden, who served as President of Sudbury Ringette in the 1960s and 70s. She was instrumental in expanding the sport, coaching teams, certifying officials, introducing ringette to local schools, and securing ice time when access was limited. Her leadership helped Sudbury become a provincial powerhouse in the sport.
As ringette grew across the province and country, Sudbury continued to play a key role. By 1967, the city hosted a world-style tournament, and by 1969, Ontario had established its first provincial association. Ringette Canada was incorporated in 1974, formalizing the sport’s national structure. Today, ringette is played by tens of thousands across Canada and internationally. Sudbury’s early commitment, leadership, and passion helped ensure the sport’s success, leaving a lasting legacy both locally and globally.
Sudbury Star. (2021, March 20). Nickel City Nostalgia: When Sudbury ruled the realm of ringette. https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/nickel-city-nostalgia-when-sudbury-ruled-the-realm-of-ringette
WePlayRingette. (n.d.). The History of Ringette. https://weplayringette.weebly.com/
