Women's Hockey & Ringette
The future of women’s hockey in Manitoba is shining bright, but ringette is facing some challenges.
While Manitoba’s AAA midget league expands, graduating twenty players to Universities and Colleges across North America, opportunities for ringette players to advance are limited.
“There really is no future (in ringette). You’re not going to get a scholarship, there’s no university teams or anything,” said Alex McGavin, coach of the Varsity View Falcons ringette team.
McGavin added that once players turn 19-years-old there’s really only two options – play for Team Canada or play for a recreation league.
That hasn’t stopped the popularity of the sport from growing.
Ringette was first created in 1963 in Ontario as an alternative to hockey. Since then the number of players has been growing steadily with nearly 30,000 players registered in Canada in 2018 according to Ringette Canada.
This still doesn’t compare to women’s hockey, which has over 85,000 registered players.
While Manitoba’s AAA midget league expands, graduating twenty players to Universities and Colleges across North America, opportunities for ringette players to advance are limited.
“There really is no future (in ringette). You’re not going to get a scholarship, there’s no university teams or anything,” said Alex McGavin, coach of the Varsity View Falcons ringette team.
McGavin added that once players turn 19-years-old there’s really only two options – play for Team Canada or play for a recreation league.
That hasn’t stopped the popularity of the sport from growing.
Ringette was first created in 1963 in Ontario as an alternative to hockey. Since then the number of players has been growing steadily with nearly 30,000 players registered in Canada in 2018 according to Ringette Canada.
This still doesn’t compare to women’s hockey, which has over 85,000 registered players.
Julia Bird, 15, catches up to the puck at Bell MTS IcePlex on Feb. 9, 2019.
Julia Bird is a grade 10 student playing for the newest team in the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League, the Winnipeg Ice.
She is hoping to win a scholarship to a university or college to advance her hockey career. Bird says she has to improve her strength and defensive zone play, and is working with her coaches to get her name out.
“I made a video of my highlights, and just trying to e-mail coaches and send some emails out,” she says.
Alanna Sharman is where Bird hopes to be. The fifth-year University of Manitoba player and U Sports National Champion, has enjoyed a great career with the Bisons.
“To be able to go to school and play hockey is pretty incredible,” she says. “Being in a room of hardworking, dedicated individuals, it just pushes you to be better.”
Over $89,000 was given out in scholarships for women to play hockey at the University of Manitoba last year. Sharman was one of 23 female hockey players to receive money.
She is hoping to win a scholarship to a university or college to advance her hockey career. Bird says she has to improve her strength and defensive zone play, and is working with her coaches to get her name out.
“I made a video of my highlights, and just trying to e-mail coaches and send some emails out,” she says.
Alanna Sharman is where Bird hopes to be. The fifth-year University of Manitoba player and U Sports National Champion, has enjoyed a great career with the Bisons.
“To be able to go to school and play hockey is pretty incredible,” she says. “Being in a room of hardworking, dedicated individuals, it just pushes you to be better.”
Over $89,000 was given out in scholarships for women to play hockey at the University of Manitoba last year. Sharman was one of 23 female hockey players to receive money.
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The Future of Ringette in Canada
Women's ringette has been growing in popularity since the 1960s but still doesn't compare to the demand for hockey.