Vancouver/Fraser Valley – January 3 marks a special occasion for BC’s ringette community. Fifty years ago on January 3, 1974, the first ringette players took to the ice at the Aldergrove Arena during the sport’s inaugural season in BC. To mark the anniversary, the Lower Mainland Ringette League (LMRL) is launching a refreshed brand and special commemorative logo.
The new artwork was commissioned to draw interest to ringette by acknowledging the sport’s unique heritage and to celebrate those currently involved. Building on its achievements over the past 50 years, ringette is looking ahead to a bright future where everyone can play.
“Our board decided that the timing was right to create a new brand that speaks to the future of ringette, while acknowledging the sport’s history. Ringette has evolved since the 70s to become a competitive, athletic, and inclusive team game. It is played in arenas and communities across Canada and internationally,” Shannon Bettles, spokesperson for the LMRL explained.
Originally called “ring hockey,” ringette was introduced to the Lower Mainland by Trudy Cuthbert of Langley, who headed a steering committee in 1973 with a goal to explore the possibilities of organizing a new winter sport for girls. Cuthbert learned about the alternative sport through a television piece that explained how, in 1963, Sam Jacks from North Bay, Ontario created a new game he called ringette. According to Ringette Canada, it was a game designed to keep people moving and encourage participation.
A 1973 Langley Advance newspaper reports that Mrs. Cuthbert has been addressing assemblies of girls at the local secondary schools. By the time January 2, 1974, rolled around, the league had over 200 players registered with more waiting to join. 280 athletes and 14 teams were created in the Langley Ringette Association, the province’s first ringette club.
The first ringette game was held at the Aldergrove Arena.
Andi Mortensen, the artist of the new logos, describes the designs: “The interlocking rings represent integration and inclusion, while also forming a ringette ring. The mountains are formed by an L and M, representing the Lower Mainland Ringette League. The sunrise is the dawn of a new appreciation for the sport and a new era for the sport.” The anniversary logo is a throwback to the heritage side of ringette. The crest shape and crossed sticks are representative of early ringette designs with the mountains, maple leave, and waves representing the Lower Mainland. The golden colour marks the 50th anniversary.
Those interested will have an opportunity to purchase commemorative clothing and a special crest featuring the new logos this season with proceeds going back into promoting ringette for the benefit of future generations.
Lower Mainland Arenas
| Search |
|---|
| Arena name | Address | City | Home Association |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sardis Sports Complex | 5725 Tyson Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R 3R6 | Chilliwack | Chilliwack Ringette Association |
| Langley Sportsplex | 20165 91a Ave #100, Langley City, BC V1M 3A2 | Langley | Fraser Valley Ringette Association |
| Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre | 27032 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P6, Canada | Langley | Fraser Valley Ringette |
| Bill Copeland Arena | 3676 Kensington Ave, Burnaby, BC V5B 4Z6, Canada | Burnaby | Burnaby New West Ringette |
| Burnaby 8-RInks | 6501 Sprott St, Burnaby, BC V5B 3B8, Canada | Burnaby | Burnaby New West Ringette |
| Canlan Ice Sports North Vancouver | 2411 Mt Seymour Pkwy, North Vancouver, BC V7H 2Y9, Canada | North Vancouver | North West Vancouver Ringette |
| Centennial Park Leisure Centre | 14600 North Bluff Rd, Surrey, BC V4A 1R4, Canada | Surrey | Surrey White Rock Ringette |
| George Preston Recreation Centre | 20699 42 Ave, Langley City, BC V3A 2G5, Canada | Langley | Fraser Valley Ringette Association |
| Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre | 123 23rd St E, North Vancouver, BC V7L 3E2, Canada | North Vancouver | North West Vancouver Ringette |
| Kensington Complex | 6159 Curtis St, Burnaby, BC V5B 4X7, Canada | Burnaby | Burnaby New West Ringette |
| Killarney Arena | 6260 Killarney St, Vancouver, BC V5S 2X7, Canada | Vancouver | Vancouver Ringette Association |
| Planet Ice Coquitlam | 2300 Rocket Way, Coquitlam, BC V3K 6Z2, Canada | Coquitlam | Coquitlam Ringette Association |
| Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex | 633 Poirier St, Coquitlam, BC V3J 6B1, Canada | Coquitlam | Coquitlam Ringette Association |
| Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex | 2150 Wilson Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6J5, Canada | Port Coquitlam | Port Coquitlam Ridge Meadows Ringette |
| Queen’s Park Arena | First St, New Westminster, BC V3L, Canada | New Westminster | Burnaby New Westminster Ringette |
| Richmond Ice Centre | 14140 Triangle Rd, Richmond, BC V6W 1B1, Canada | Richmond | Richmond Ringette/ Vancouver Ringette |
| Richmond Minoru Arena | 7551 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC V6Y 1R8, Canada | Richmond | Richmond Ringette/ Vancouver Ringette |
| Sungod Recreation Centre | 7815 112 St, Delta, BC V4C 7T2, Canada | Delta | Delta Ringette Association |
| Surrey Sports and Leisure Centre | 16555 Fraser Hwy, Surrey, BC V4N 0E9, Canada | Surrey | Surrey White Rock Ringette |
| Trout Lake Arena | 3360 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4M4, Canada | Vancouver | Vancouver Ringette Association |
