Starting this fall, the 4Cités Ringette Association will be offering a new program to get local girls moving. The program, entitled Learn to Skate with Ringette, is aimed at girls aged 4 to 7.

For the uninitiated, ringette is similar to ice hockey. It's a fast-paced, fun and competitive team sport. "It's a typically Canadian winter sport, as stimulating as it is enjoyable. The main objective of the sport is to use a stick to direct a ring into the opposing team's goal. The team that manages to do this the most times during the game wins the honors at the end. Ringette is the right choice for anyone looking for a safe, competitive sport for their child. Your child will learn to skate, pass and play as part of a team, while making friends and having fun at the same time," says Sara Carlevaris.

The sport was created by Sam Jacks in 1963 and has since been dubbed the fastest sport on ice. In recent years, ringette has grown in popularity in Canada and in Vaudreuil-Soulanges.

For example, the Sport-Études ringuette program was launched last September at Chêne-Bleu high school in Pincourt, and will be transferred to Cité-des-Jeunes this fall. Ringuette Performance, headed by Stéphanie Séguin and her team, is the ringuette representative for Sport-Études.

The sport also had a high profile at the recent Jeux du Québec, where the Sud-Ouest ringette team was made up entirely of 4Cités players. The team performed well, winning the bronze medal.

What are the rules of ringette? Here are a few:

- Ringette is played on ice. The object of the game is to score goals using a bladeless stick and a rubber ring;

- Players must also pass the ring in order to cross the blue line. The pass must be made to a teammate. This encourages team play;

- No player is allowed in the goalkeeper's circle.

- Starting with the Atom group (ages 10 and up), the team in possession of the ring must shoot at the goal within 30 seconds, otherwise play is stopped and the opponent takes possession of the ring;

- In the offensive (and defensive) zone, a maximum of 3 players per team (plus the goalkeeper) may circulate.

- During play, each team has a maximum of 6 players, distributed as follows: 2 wingers, 1 center, 2 defenders and a goalkeeper.

- No physical contact, interference or abusive language is tolerated.

To learn more about ringette, please visit the following links:

- The local association in Vaudreuil-Soulanges 4Cités: https://kreezee.com/ringuette/organisation/association-de-ringuette-des-4-cites/8922; 

- The regional association is: Ringuette Lac Saint Louis: www.ringuettelacstlouis.com;

- Ringuette Québec: https://www.ringuette-quebec.qc.ca/; 

- Ligue nationale de ringuette (Canada): https://www.nationalringetteleague.ca; 

- IRF - International ringette federation https://irfringette.com.

A program to develop the next generation

The aim of the local sports association's new program is to develop future players. "It will be based on the development of skating skills. Experienced coaches will be on the ice every session to help players develop their skating skills. As soon as a future player is ready and has mastered skating, she will be introduced to ringette (sticks, rings, passes). For those who are ready, small friendly games could begin in January to start implementing everything that has been learned. This will be the birth of the U08 Mosquito category," she adds.

Interestingly, players born in 2014 and 2015 will benefit from a registration discount. Interested parties can register from June 15 via the Association's website at: kreezee.com/ringuette/organisation/association-de-ringuette-des-4-cites/8922.