The Pembina Ringette Association is sending three teams to provincials next weekend, including the U16B Royals, which will host 11 other teams at the Rotary Spirit Centre and in the Thorhild Agriplex.
The U16B girls had a rough go of it this season, finishing the Black Gold League ringette season with a 3-13 record, but the team received a bye into the provincials as a result of the team being named hosts of the tournament.
“It’s honestly pretty exciting. It’s pretty overwhelming, but it’s exciting,” said Pembina Ringette Association president Janice Tymkow of hosting the province-wide tournament. “It’s the first time we’ve done it and it’s a lot of work.”
Royals assistant coach Stacy Howse said the team has had an up and down year as they switched tiers midway through the season and starting playing some very competitive teams, but they’re still anxious to host the tournament, she said.
“It takes some great volunteers. We’d love it if anyone could come out to help, that would be great,” said Howse.
The girls will begin play at 11 a.m. March 8 in Thorhild against Lacombe before returning to the Spirit Centre for a match against Indus at 3:30 p.m. They will then take on the BV1 Impact team out of Calgary in their final game of the round robin in Thorhild at 7:30 a.m., before the playoffs start and a provincial champion is decided.
“I know the girls are ready and I think they’re ready to take this on. Some are pretty excited. They’re at an age where they want to be competitive and I think they’re looking forward to it,” said Tymkow.
“It’s such a great group of athletes,” said Howse. “They’re happy to be out there learning and getting better and better so that when they come to provincials they can see some good ringette.”
“I just think hosting provincials is really exciting for us. The association has been growing bit by bit every year and it’s so nice to see female athletes out there having a good time and competing.”
Pembina’s U14C Predators will travel to Calgary for their provincial tournament after finishing the season with a 7-4-5 record.
The U12B Power, which finished the season with a 8-7-1 record, will play in Rockyford, just east of Calgary for their tournament.
