CHILDREN’S RINGETTE
The Children’s Ringette initiative represents a concerted effort to adjust ringette practices and competitions to meet the needs of children while promoting a fun, safe and healthy environment which supports the development of physical literacy and the long-term development of all players.
Children’s Ringette is a program that provides age and stage appropriate physical activity experiences for ringette players under the age of ten.
Highlights of the Children’s Ringette program:
- Ringette experience that is tailored to the age, size, and skill level of participants
- Participants are grouped by developmental stages rather than chronological ages and can move up when they are ready
- Emphasis on fun and fundamental skill development
- Increased opportunities for participation and engagement
- Adapted gameplay including small-area games and small nets
The Children’s Ringette Divisions
There are three progressive age categories in Children’s Ringette – FUN1, FUN2, and U10 (FUN3).
FUN1 is for children who are new to ringette or skating, learning basic game structure, and still developing basic skills, this group plays cross-ice.
FUN2 is for children who are learning to lengthen their stride, ready to learn more rules of ringette, and have developed some basic skills, this group plays Mini Ringette.
U10 (FUN3) is for children who demonstrate that they have acquired the physical, cognitive, and social readiness for more challenging play, this group plays full-sized ringette.
Both FUNdamentals 1 & 2 divisions use small-sized nets and play adapted games of 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 respectively. Smaller spaces ensure more touches, interactions, shots on net, and passes. Teams are split into smaller squads to ensure the majority of players are participating at a time. With these adaptations in the FUNdamentals divisions, children can experience maximum participation, practice learned skills, and move through divisions based on skill and readiness.
What’s Next
Over the next few seasons, several positive changes will be introduced including scaling the game down through the implementation of small-area games (cross-ice and half-ice ringette) and grouping participants by developmental stages rather than chronological ages.
Changes, including introducing small-area games (cross-ice and half-ice ringette) as the standard of play, will be introduced in Ontario as follows:
- FUN 1 and 2 introduced to associations for the 2020-21 season
- FUN 1 and 2 mandatory for associations to implement for 2021-22 season
- Full implementation of Children’s Ringette across Ontario 2022-2023 season
Overview of Program
- A Letter to Parents, Guardians, and Families – A brief overview of the changes that are being implemented by Ringette Ontario in the coming seasons.
- A Letter to Associations – A brief overview of the changes being implemented by Ringette Ontario in the coming seasons.
- Children’s Ringette Presentation – This PowerPoint presentation highlights the key reasons for change and what those changes will look like moving forward.
- FUN1/FUN2 Coach Requirements
Resources for Implementation
- Sample practice plans
- FUN1 Program Overview
- FUN2 Program Overview
- FUN1 Assessment Tool
- FUN2 Assessment Tool
FUNdamentals Team Roster Form
This document is used for games and Jamborees to record the names of participants on each team for registration purposes.
FUNdamentals Game Sheet Form
This document is used for games and Jamborees to record the names of the participants and important game information.
