Ringette is a dynamic, non-contact team sport played on ice with a straight stick and rubber ring. Designed with an emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and speed, it's often called "the fastest game on ice." Unlike hockey, players must pass the ring over each blue line, encouraging constant collaboration and quick thinking. It's a fantastic sport for building skills, confidence, and friendships.
Foothills Ringette began in the 2016-2017 season with just 13 athletes, practicing once a week and playing a few exhibition games — often outdoors in Black Diamond. Fast forward to today, FRA now proudly supports around 90 athletes from communities across the Foothills region. We are committed to empowering girls through sport, creating an inclusive environment, and building strong, confident athletes on and off the ice.
Recent Highlights:
We welcome players from:
Home Arenas:
Division | Age Range | Format & Notes |
Active Start | 4-5 | One practice per week and typically two games per month (played on half ice) |
U10 Step 1 | 6-7 | Focus on foundational skills; games are played on half ice. Some seasons may only have a Step 1 or Step 2 team depending on registration and development needs |
U10 Step 2 | 7-8 | Continued development; gameplay still on half ice. Team formation varies each season based on athlete numbers and readiness |
U10 Step 3 | 8-9 | Full ice gameplay. Teams may include a mix of players, but all 9-year-olds will be placed here to prepare for U12. If spots remain, younger players may be considered based on skill and experience at the discretion of the coaching team and Director of Coaching |
U12 | 10-11 | Full ice play with shot clock. Teams are classified as A, B, or C. As a development-focused association, FRA typically fields B or C level teams to ensure players are placed where they can thrive, grow, and enjoy the game |
U14 | 12-13 | Full ice with shot clock; team levels (A, B, or C) depend on player experience and registration numbers. FRA generally supports B and C teams, where athletes receive appropriate development opportunities |
U16 | 14-15 | New for 2025-26! FRA will proudly field its first-ever U16 team. Level will be determined during evaluations based on the team’s composition |
Note: At this time, Foothills Ringette does not offer U19 or 18+ programming — however, we hope to expand into these levels as our athlete base continues to grow.
Division | Practices/Week | Games/Week | Notes |
Active Start | 1 | biweekly | On average two games per month |
U10 | 1-2 | 1 | Weekends games, occasional doubleheaders and optional tournaments |
U12-U16 | 2 | 1 | Regular games with occasional doubleheaders and optional tournaments |
Games are typically played within Zone 2 (Strathmore, Airdrie, Indus, Cochrane, Rockyford, Foothills), Calgary, and occasionally Lethbridge or Medicine Hat depending on league assignments and team levels.
FRA teams from U10 and up typically participate in one tournament per session. These tournaments are selected by each team and may be local or travel-based, depending on interest and availability.
The ringette season is divided into sessions, which vary slightly by age division:
Division | Number of Sessions | Notes |
U12 & Under | 2 sessions | Season starts mid-late October |
U14 & Up | 3 sessions | Season begins earlier (early October) to accommodate the extra session |
Session dates are set by Ringette Alberta and can be found under the "Critical Dates" section of their website.
🔹 All FRA teams are required to participate in the Foothills Freeze Tournament, hosted by our association on the first weekend of February.
Equipment Checklist
To play ringette, your athlete will need the following standard gear:
Required Equipment for Skaters:
Optional but helpful:
Important Note for U12 and Up:
Players in the U12 division and above are required to wear ringette pants in Foothills Ringette Association (FRA) colors. These can be:
This guideline applies to player equipment only — goalie-specific players have separate equipment requirements and may access shared goalie gear provided by FRA.
FRA Provides the Use of:
Bonus Tip:
Attend our August Come Try Ringette event to participate in our gear swap — a great place to find gently used equipment or pass along gear your athlete has outgrown.
At Foothills Ringette, development doesn’t stop when the skates come off. We believe in supporting the whole athlete — physically, mentally, and socially — through a wide range of off-ice opportunities:
We’re proud of the community that makes FRA so special — and we believe that everyone has a role to play in creating a fun and supportive season.
All FRA families participate in making our Foothills Freeze Tournament (held the first weekend of February) a success. From setting up the tables to staffing the sign-in table, being part of this event is a great way to get involved and help create memories for all our athletes.
Volunteer Bond Program (2025-26):
This new initiative ensures all families are included in the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps our association thriving.
And of course... the friendships.
Some of the best moments in ringette happen between the whistles — team bonding, road trip laughs, and dressing room giggles are just as important as goals and assists. At FRA, players build friendships that last long after the season ends.
Why Choose Foothills Ringette?
Registration opens June 1st!
You can register directly through our website:
🔗www.foothillsringette.com - (link will be live when registration opens)
We offer payment plans to help keep ringette accessible for every family.
Don’t wait — registration closes June 30.
Foothills Ringette runs on the energy and heart of our volunteers — and we’d love to have you on board. Whether you’re interested in becoming a:
Nervous about coaching? You’re not alone — and that’s okay.
Many parents hesitate to sign up because they feel they don’t know enough about ringette. But here’s the truth: every coach started exactly where you are. At FRA, we believe the most important qualities in a coach — especially at the younger levels — are positivity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
We’ll guide and support you every step of the way, whether you’re leading drills or just cheering players on from the bench. The ringette-specific knowledge will come with time — and you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick it up.
So if you're even a little curious about helping out, we encourage you to take that first step. Your support could make all the difference for a team — and it might just become one of the most rewarding experiences of your season.
Come Try Ringette Ages 10+
Scott Seaman Arena - DeWinton
Foothills Ringette is hosting a FREE "Try Ringette" event specifically for girls aged 10 and up June 11th! This is an ...