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WFRA Season 2022-23
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Our Year-End Banquet
Here is a break down of the event:
- 5:00 P.M. Games & face painting
- 5:15 P.M. Pizza
- 5:45 P.M. Presentation of medals, awards, and door prizes
- 6:30 P.M. Music and dancing
- The event will wrap up around 8:00 P.M.
If you have not yet returned your jersey, please wash it and return it to your coach at the banquet.
We look forward to seeing everyone there to celebrate the end of the season together!
Volunteer Award Nominations
Please take a few minutes to look at the list of awards below and what they are for. Take some time to consider all the amazing people you have come into contact within WFRA this past season and the great things they have done and consider nominating someone for one of these awards.
Once the nominations are in, our award selection committee and the WFRA executive will work to select the successful winners of our awards for the 2022-2023 season.
Click here to submit your nomination(s) for the following awards:
- Nell Mallory Award
Awarded to rep or house league team that demonstrated most improvement in this ringette season - Youth Volunteer Award
For a volunteer under 18 who has gone above and beyond or made a special contribution this season - Lifetime Contribution Award
Awarded to a long-time volunteer who has made significant contributions to our association and to our sport - Jeff Francom Volunteer of the Year Award
Awarded to the volunteer who has gone above and beyond or made a special contribution to this ringette season - Shir-Don Award
Awarded to the team that has demonstrated class, character, conduct and competitiveness - Don Pecore Award
An award that recognizes a volunteer for years of service to the Association and promoting ringette
On behalf of WFRA,
Jade Cayen
Publicity Director
West Ferris Ringette Association
FREE Coaching Course
If you’re looking to become a coach, this mandatory course is being offered for free on April 15th, 2023 at Canadore College as part of a national initiative to promote the new mental health in sport content recently added to these NCCP Modules.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM is a time for us to look back at our year in review with our members. It is also a time of change and renewal. There are many opportunities for our members to take leadership roles within the association to help make sure that we continue to provide quality ringette programming. As our players age, so do their parents, and as they age out of our programming and move on to other opportunities in life, so do the parents that make up much of the leadership of the association. WFRA is always looking for those to help us maintain and renew. Whether you are an adult player or an interested family member, we need you to help us continue to be able to provide quality programming.
All eligible voting members are welcome to attend our AGM. An eligible voting member includes a registered player over 18 years of age, the parents/legal guardian of a registered player under 18 years of age, Executive members and officials, persons fulfilling an administrative role for the WFRA, or a life member of the Association.
To make any changes to the WFRA by-laws, a motion must be submitted through the online AGM motion form by April 12, 2023. Any motions received after this point cannot be entertained at this AGM.
The following Executive positions will be elected in 2023 for a 2 year term:
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Registrar
- Ways and Means Director
- Technical Director
- House League Director
- Sponsorship Director
- Tournament Director/Director at Large
- Publicity Director
- Web Director
The following Executive position will be available in 2023 for a 1 year term:
- Referee in Chief
You can nominate someone, or self-nominate, using our online Nomination form. Nominations can be received up to April 12, 2023, and after that date any two WFRA members can present nominations at or prior to the AGM.
Questions relating to the above can be sent to WFRA Secretary Trina Palmieri at secretary@westferrisringette.ca.
West Ferris Ringette Association
House League Wrap-Up/Equipment Return
As we wrap up the house league season, there are a few key things we would like to communicate with you:
Playoffs
FUN3 teams will have a playoff game as their last game time on Sunday, March 26 at 4 pm.
U12 teams will have a best 2 of 3 series for their last 3 games. If one team wins both first games, the last ice time will be a “fun game” as decided by their coaches.
U14/U16- Team Cayen and Active Running will play on March 26th at 5 pm. The winner of that game will play Team Phillips on March 28th at 6:15.
18+ Jacks – West Ferris 63’s play Grecos on March 26th at 6 pm. King Sportswear plays Team Canada on March 26th at 7 pm. The winners of those two games will play on March 27 at 7:15 pm
18+ Pecore – Last ice time is March 26th at 8 pm
Equipment Returns
FUN1 and FUN2 players, please return any borrowed equipment to the equipment room (upstairs at the back of West Ferris Arena near the zamboni) on Saturday, March 25th between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
All other divisions can return their equipment on Saturday, April 15th from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm to the equipment room.
Please email Pam, Equipment Director if you have any questions or need to arrange an alternate return time.
Year-End Banquet
The WFRA executive is working on organizing our year-end banquet where medals and awards will be distributed. Stay tuned for details!
Thanks to everyone for making our 2022/2023 season a success!
West Ferris Ringette Association
Ringette Pathways Information Session
WHEN: MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 AT 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: École secondaire publique Odyssée
DURATION: 2 hours
WHO: Anyone and Everyone!
We’ve taken questions asked over the years and combined the answers with some unpopular (but useful) knowledge to bring you an information session! This event will be geared towards U10-U19 parents and players, but anyone who wants to learn is welcome to attend. Our experienced panel members are looking forward to answering your questions and helping you understand the many ringette pathways regardless of your age or level of play.
Community Centre Supporters Celebrating
After all these years the dream is much closer to reality.
North Bay city council decided, by a razor-thin margin on Tuesday evening, to move forward with the twin-pad arena by agreeing to the tendering process.
That will open another complex issue when those bids come back, but that is for a later date.
Long was a founding member of MURF (Multi-use Recreational Facility) which involved a feasibility study involving some powerful community partners such as Sport North Bay, North Bay Partners in Hockey, Canadore College and Nipissing University.
Long left the council meeting smiling, she explains why.
“After 12 years of trying to get the best design, trying to find the best location, getting it to tender, it is a huge, huge step forward,” says Long.
“We are very hopeful that the tender comes back at a reasonable price that was talked about so much at council so we can get shovels in the ground,” says Long
Of course, some may not see a more than $50 million price tag as reasonable. Some publicly have suggested the money earmarked for a sports complex be used on rising homelessness rates and affordable housing projects.
Long responded the way, “That has been my component of this project during the entire process. It is making a community-based facility,” remarked Long. “I think they have done that.”
She believes the community centre will generate a lot of revenue.
“As a local business owner looking at the big picture, we will have tournaments in town, we will be able to host more events. All local businesses will thrive off that (more events locally). My kids’ friends will get extra shifts at the restaurant and will go home and spend more money at the local sports stores. The motels will be full,” stated Long.
Long thinks people need to use a wider lens when assessing this project’s city-wide benefits.
“I look at it very much as a community project that is going to spin off to everybody in our area as opposed to those who simply use the facility,” remarked Long.
Mike Finner was another long-term member of the MURF committee. Finner tells The Nugget the journey to a new community complex is still a long way off.
“I would like to say (the journey) is over but all that is going to happen is that we are going to come back with tender prices, and we be going through this (process) again,” says Finner.
“I’m disappointed with the pace of what is going on, but (still) it was a big night for us, it is a step in the right direction and when the final tender prices come in, we can give it our final approval,” remarked Finner.
Finner knows many local agencies think the money geared to this project could help in other sectors, but he believes this type of project is essential to North Bay’s growth.
“It was a priority 15 years ago when we knew we had hockey players and teams going all over the place for practice times,” states Finner.
Finner adds that with the declaration that the West Ferris Arena should be closed the crisis was elevated.
“What started out as a nice thing suddenly became an emergency, we got to have it,” says Finner.
“I understand homelessness, I understand crime, I understand that money could be spent all over the place. But we have waited 15 years for this, it is not like we have barged ahead of other needs in the community,” says Finner.
Linda Turcotte was on the original MURF community representing Canadore College (she was the athletic director at the time) and Nipissing University.
“I was elated,” says Turcotte when asked about the council vote. “That is because of all the hard work and the community support and the community investment from sporting groups that helped pay for the feasibility study,” says Turcotte.
Written by Greg Estabrooks, North Bay Nugget
Family Christmas Skate
The ice will be open for skating and there will be hot chocolate, door prizes, a DJ, and bake sale fundraiser hosted by our rep teams. Everyone is encouraged to wear their best (ugliest) Christmas sweater!
This year, we’re accepting donations to support the Nipissing Association for Disabled Youth (NADY). NADY is a charitable organization in our community that strives to improve and implement services for youth with physical and developmental challenges. They offer recreational programs for children and youth with special needs in the North Bay and surrounding area. Cash donations of any amount will be accepted at the door. Donate to earn an extra ballot for the door prize!
Helmets are required for everyone under the age of 18 and strongly recommended for those over 18. Sticks will not be permitted.
To prevent tripping hazards on the ice, please ensure to use items that can not be easily removed or will not fall off if you are planning to decorate yourself/your shirt. Our Nipissing Lakers Ringette girls will be out on the ice making sure everyone is having fun and staying safe!
RO COVID Vaccination Policy
As we’ve seen over the last two seasons, this comes with an understanding that this guidance may change over the coming months as the COVID-19 situation can still evolve.
It is still strongly encouraged that all participants who are eligible to be vaccinated do so.
We will continue to follow the direction of the Government of Ontario’s Public Health guidelines. All programs, regardless of size or level, are ultimately required to adhere to all public health, municipal and facility policies, and directives, if more restrictive than the current provincial guideline.
Thank you for your continued support as we Return to Ringette.
Ringete Ontario
Registration for 2022-2023 is OPEN!
We are pleased to announce that the Ramp Registration Platform is open for registration. A 25$ Early Bird discount will apply until August 15th so don’t delay!
Ramp Registration Platform
If possible, please use the same username as last year when registering online. All of your information will automatically populate and any discounts or credits (e.g. Bingo credits) will show up automatically. Follow the link from our Registration Page to access Ramp.
Please note that this year, payments will be accepted by credit card, Kidsport or Jumpstart only. Please contact me if this poses a problem for you. Furthermore, you will see the WFRA, RO Membership and RO Insurance fees show up as separate line items. They add up to the package costs outlined on our website. Please note that pre-paid credit cards are accepted on Ramp.
Kidsport or Jumpstart Applicants
If you are applying for Kidsport or Jumpstart funding, please take a look at our subsidy pages for instructions on how to receive an “Application Number” for Ramp. Unfortunately, you will have to pay for RO fees with a credit card (approximately $57). Pre-paid credit cards are accepted on Ramp.
Respect in Sport for Parents program
Ringette Ontario requires that one parent of every ringette player under the age of 18 must take the Respect in Sport Parent Program by November 1. This course is mandatory to have the Player’s registration approved. For more information, please check out Ringette Ontario’s Respect in Sport for Parents Information Page and the Respect in Sport for Parents FAQs.
The cost is 12$ plus HST, takes about an 1h15 to complete and can be applied across many sport associations. If you’ve already completed it for another sport, simply input the certificate number on the Ramp platform. Tip: Since it is largely audio with a few images, it is possible to sign in from your cell phone, pop in your headphones and listen to the program (while having to stop once in a while to click on answers).
Goalie Recruitment Incentive
I have sent last year’s goalies (U12-U19) a Goalie Recruitment Incentive promo code to use during the Ramp registration process. Please check your junkmail or contact me if you have not received it.
Volunteer Sign Up on Ramp
Volunteers carry out 100% of WFRA activities, making them an integral part of its success. We encourage WFRA members to volunteer approximately 5 hours per player (or maximum of 10 hours per family) during the season. There are several ways to get involved that vary in time commitment and qualifications.
Select the volunteer task(s) that interest one or several members of your family. Once we have a roster of volunteers, we will be able to reach out to the volunteers who have signed up on this page and provide them with a choice of times to help out. For example, members signing up as a Fundraising Event Volunteer will be provided with the choice of several events to participate in.
Please note that you only have to fill this out once per account (choose all tasks that might be of interest).
Refer a Friend Incentive
Although the details have not yet been ironed out, we will be recognizing members who refer new players to the WFRA with a financial incentive. Please let friends and family know that first-time players pay only 100$ per year and that we have an Equipment Loan Program available!
Equipment Swap Meet
We are planning an Equipment Swap Meet in late summer early fall. Stay tuned!
Josée Lebel
Volunteer Registrar, WFRA
Free Goalie Clinic
If you’re a goalie looking to practice and learn some new skills, this is the perfect opportunity for you!
Register here for the event now.
If you’re interested in being an on-ice helper for this event (goalie coach or shooter), please email Jade at publicity.director@westferrisringette.ca
ADULTS! Come Try Ringette For Free!
Sunday, September 25, at 8:00 P.M. at the West Ferris arena.
WFRA offers a recreational division (Pecore) for players to have a night out, get some exercise, meet new people and have a good time. This is a fun, safe way to explore a great sport, and we welcome all skill levels – from newcomers that are improving their skating, to someone that has not played in a number of years, to someone that still wants to participate but does not want the pressure of having to play in a fast pace, competitive atmosphere.
Games are staffed by officials but scores are not recorded. Games are 1 night a week and teams are shuffled on a frequent basis with a focus on fun, fitness and friendship.
Players and goalies of all genders aged 16+ are welcome!
Equipment is recommended for this event. Sticks will be provided!
*Helmet, gloves, and skates are mandatory*
Free NCCP Coach Training
September 19-27 is National Coaches Week!
Coach.ca is saying #ThanksCoach by providing several eLearning courses for FREE throughout the week. Visit the eLearning page to take NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability, NCCP Making Headway in Sport, NCCP Emergency Action Plan, Safe Sport Training or NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport.
#ThanksCoach for all you do!
The NCCP Coach Initiation course is mandatory for almost all staff positions at the WFRA, and carries a fee any other time. Take advantage now, and come join the fun!
Funding Received to Help Rebuild Association After Pandemic!
As a member in good standing with RO our association was eligible to apply for the funding. We submitted our application prior to the deadline of May 20, 2022 and have received notice we have been successful in our application. We have received $9500.00 from this funding. The funds are to be split between two strategic initiatives West Ferris Ringette Association is focused on. The first is to support our Goalie recruitment and retention strategy by purchasing needed goalie equipment. The other half is to be used for marketing our association and our sport as a part of our overall recruitment and retention strategy.
On behalf of WFRA I would like to extend my thanks to Ringette Ontario and the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries of the Province of Ontario for this funding and their support in rebuilding our association and our sport.
Darren Pace, President WFRA
Northeast Region AA Development Program
I am not sure if you are familiar with the Northeast Region AA development program, so here is the information. There are links for the presentation, a sample budget and itinerary for what a typical camp looks like:
NER AA Presentation
NER AA Sample Itinerary
NER AA Sample Budget
Players can join for the development at the camps and choose to try out for the team or not.
I was involved with the program for a number of years, and it was a great opportunity to meet the players from our region and gain exposure to a more competitive level of play. Attending these camps would be in addition to what is happening with the local team.
Please complete this form if you are interested in the 2022-2023 Northeast Ringette AA Program (U14 and U16 teams).
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the program.
Thank you,
Erin Johns – Rep Director WFRA
Fundraiser Event
Contact us to purchase tickets, or with questions/comments!
Happy Canada Day Weekend!
Darren Pace, President WFRA
Rep Coaches Apply Now!
Bring your knowledge and experience of the ‘Fastest Game on Ice’ to our West Ferris Ringette Association players by submitting an application. You will be rewarded through the development of your team over the season both on and off the ice. Our Association has plenty of talent on the ice, and these players are waiting for Coaches to elevate those talents to the next level …. could that Coach be you in the upcoming season?
If you are interested in submitting an application, please review the WFRA Coaching Selection and Appointment Policy, and complete the WFRA Rep Coach Application Form by July 4th, 2022. Any questions can be directed to the Rep Director, Marc. Interviews will follow for selection.
Hope to see you on the bench next season!
Marc Desroches
WFRA Rep Director
WFRA Canada Day: Volunteers Needed
Canada Day is fast approaching and with it is our community’s celebration at the waterfront. This will include the Kids Zone activities. On Friday July 1st we want to join the community and run an activity for kids and youth at the Kids Zone. The activity will run from 12:30pm-4:30pm, with preparation and set up taking place between 11:00am and 12:30pm. We have been invited by the organizers to take part, as they see the healthy development of the children in our region as a part of our mandate. We are in the process of completing the paperwork to join this activity and need to rally some volunteers! We have done this event before and typically bring some ringette sticks, rings, a shooting mat, pylons, and if we can, track down a small net. This lets the volunteers interact with the kids and their families by letting them pass the ring around, try and flip a ring onto a pylon, or try and shoot the ring. It’s a great opportunity for us to get the sport of ringette seen and create interest. If you are interested and available to run or participate in this activity on Canada Day please let me know. This year it is just the afternoon so it is a bit more manageable. In the past we have had families, older youth, and adult players/volunteers come out to run the event. Please let me know if you are interested and what support you might need to do the event. Not to worry, we have all the gear (except we might need to track down a net).
Hope you are doing well.
Darren Pace, President WFRA
WFRA Year End Banquet
West Ferris is excited to announce the return of our year end banquet. The banquet will take place on May 26, 2022 @ 5:30PM, in the upstairs of the West Ferris Arena.
Pizza and milk will be provided to all of those who attend. We will have carnival games for the little ones and draw prizes for everyone to enter.
The team medals for the 2021/2022 season will be handed out, as well as the association awards.
Thank you,
Meaghan
Rep Team Tryouts
UPDATES BELOW
- *Please Note: May 7th times have changed.
- Ramp App – open the event to see the details
The tryout, interest ice and conditioning ice events have been added to Ramp across several divisions since some players will be changing age categories or wishing to play up. Please open the event in Ramp to see the details to ensure that it applies to your player. Unfortunately, the first thing that appears on Ramp is the team name, so you have to open it to actually see the event (e.g. Rep U14 – Tryout U16 Rep Team 2022-2023 Season; Active Running – Tryout U14 Rep Team 2022-2023 Season). - Seeking goalies for house league and rep teams
We are actively recruiting goalies with very attractive incentives (details to follow). Please let hockey goalies you know (all genders) about these events – they may love the idea of more ice time!
The WFRA is pleased to announce the conditioning ice and tryout schedule for the 2022/23 season.
**Please note that B level, U10 (Fun 3) and U12 official team formation will occur in the late summer/early fall as per Ringette Ontario Guidelines.
The cost is $10 per tryout to be paid in cash at the time of the tryout. There is no cost for the conditioning ice or interest ice sessions.
Please be advised that any player that is planning on attending a tryout for a division that is outside their division based on age is required to also attend the tryouts within their own division. Please refer to the WFRA Rep Team Policy located on our documents page.
Please complete the WFRA – 2022/23 Rep Team Tryout Sign Up Form if you are interested in trying out for a rep team with WFRA.
U12 (Players born in 2011-2012)
Interest Ice – come and see what the competitive program is all about!
Saturday April 30 @ 9:00am at Pete Palangio Kelly
Official tryouts to be scheduled in the fall as per RO policy
U14 (Players born in 2009-2010)
Conditioning Ice – Sunday April 10/22 @ 5pm at Memorial Gardens
Tryout #1 – Saturday April 30 @ 10:00am at Pete Palangio Kelly
*Tryout #2 – Saturday May 7 @ 5pm at Memorial Gardens
U16 (Players born in 2007-2008)
Try out #1 – Saturday April 30th @ 11am at Pete Palangio Kelly
Additional Tryouts will be scheduled as required
U19 (Players born in 2004-2006) and 18+ (Players born in 2003 or earlier)
*Try out #1 – Saturday May 7th @ 6pm at Memorial Gardens
Additional try outs will be scheduled as required.
The ice is shared to maximize opportunity for scrimmage.
This will not be a combined team.
Should you have any questions about the Rep Program, please contact us.
We are looking forward to seeing you back on the ice!
NRS Summer Ringette Camp in North Bay
Previously you had indicated an interest in attending a Summer Ringette camp in North Bay. We have been successful in securing Pete Palangio Arena this summer to offer a camp from July 4th to 8th, 2022.
To read complete details and register please use this link.
As this is the first year we are in North Bay, in a very long time, we have until May 10th to make a final decision based on the number of participants registered whether we will be able to run a camp. Therefore we ask that you please send this information along to everyone you know that might be interested in attending ASAP.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
Thank you,
The NRS Team