Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When and how does a player register?
A: Mail-in registration can always be done by downloading, or printing, an NRA Registration Form from the NRA website, completing it and dropping it off with the appropriate cheque(s) to the NRA Registrar (address for the NRA Registrar on the NRA Registration page). Also, there will be an in-person registration. Please check the with NRA Registrar for more information.
NOTE: if player is new to the sport or turning 18 years of age by December 31 this year or is new to the sport in Ontario, please mail or drop off a copy of the player’s birth certificate or bring the original to the in-person registration.
Q: What team will my daughter be on?
A: Excluding the Learn-to-Skate program, teams are decided by tryouts for A and AA, and by sort-outs for B, C and Rec players. When teams are decided, the coach of that team will call you with practice times. The team manager will give you a team list with the other player’s names and phone numbers. The full practice schedule is posted on our web site http://www.nepeanringette.ca/.
Q: When will my daughter be on the ice? When will she practice? When are her games?
A: Your coach or team manager will provide you with a schedule. For the first few weeks in September when tryouts and sort-outs are happening, when the league game schedule is being put together in mid-October and again in January, you may only get a week's notice of ice times. Once the game schedule is created you will get more notice. The game schedule and the practice schedule will be posted on the NRA website as soon as they are available.
Q: My daughter wants to play with her friend / sibling / neighbour, is that possible?
A: The NRA will make every effort to keep friends of the same age and ability together, but we cannot guarantee that this will happen. Ask the Division Director when you register.
Q: When does the season start? End?
A: Practices begin in mid-to-late September as teams are formed and ice becomes available. Games generally start in late-September for A and AA teams and early-to-mid-October for B/C/Rec teams. The season ends in early March with the Year-end Banquet in mid to late April. See the question “What is Bunnies?” below to see when that program runs.
Q: What do I do if my daughter will be absent?
A: It is important that you let your coach know if you will miss a game or practice. S/he needs an idea of how many players will attend a practice to be able to plan to use the ice time efficiently. Make every effort to be at all games and practices, but coaches understand that conflicts arise.
Q: What is Bunnies?
A: The NRA calls its Learn-to-Skate level “Bunnies”. In this level, children age 7 and younger learn the fundamentals of ringette, starting with balance, skating forwards and backwards, stopping and also passing and shooting. The basic ringette rules are also introduced. The Bunnies program is an official part of the Ontario Ringette Association. This program starts on or about the first Friday of October and goes until mid-March; this program runs every Friday night at Bell Arena from 6:00 – 6:50 p.m. However, there will be cancellations due to tournaments, etc. and there may be some changes, but the people running the program will hand out schedules and you can check the NRA web site.
Q: How old does my daughter need to be to join Bunnies?
A: She must be 4 years old when Bunnies starts. Although, if space is limited, then priority will be given to the children aged 5 to 7 and the 4 year olds will be put on a waiting list.
Q: What if my daughter doesn’t skate at all? Or she doesn’t know the rules?
A: If your daughter is under 7 we recommend the Learn-to-Skate, or “Bunnies” program. There she will learn to skate, as well as learn the basics of ringette. At the Novice Division Director’s discretion, a 7-year old who joined Bunnies and has some skating skills, might be invited to join Novice Rec instead. New girls aged 10 and 11 will likely join the Petite C team which is designed for newer players. On these teams, there will be a range of players from girls who have played a year to girls who can skate but have never played ringette, as well as girls who are still learning to skate.
Q: What equipment do players need?
A: A description of each piece of ringette equipment is listed on the our Ringette Equipment page. A player needs hockey skates, shin/knee pads, a girdle, pelvic protection (called a jill), shoulder pads, pants (ringette players tend to wear pants and a girdle, but shorts and socks are acceptable), a BNQ approved neck guard, helmet, mouth guard (optional), ringette face mask, hockey gloves, and a stick.
Q: Can my daughter wear her brother’s hockey gear?
A: For the most part, yes. But she will need a ringette stick, and she will need a face mask specific to ringette.
Q: How can I save costs on this equipment?
A: If she's joining for the first time, buy second hand gear. Check Play It Again Sports for second hand gear.
Q: Where do I get ringette equipment?
A: Not all sports stores sell ringette equipment. Here is a list of stores that do:
Houle Sports (in Orleans)
1993 St. Joseph, Orleans, ON
Tel: 837-7894
JD's Sportsline c/o Doug Eby
1931 Michigan Ave., Ottawa, ON K1H 6Y1
Tel: (613) 739-8685 / Fax: (613) 739-9867
e-mail
Check out the JD's Sportsline web site
Lacroix Sports
2062 St. Jospeh Blvd, Orleans,ON
Tel: 824-5196
2450 Lancaster Rd, Ottawa, ON
Tel: 523-5292
Play It Again Sports
3161 Greenbank Rd., Nepean (Barrhaven), ON K2J 4H9
Tel: 843-9711
Rink-Pro Sports Inc.
6081 Hazeldean Road, Unit 3
Stittsville, ON K2S 1B9
Tel/Fax: 831-8936 Toll free: (866) 858-8936
Q: How much does equipment cost?
A: A full set of used equipment will cost about $250. A full set of new equipment will cost about $450 … and up.
Q: Where do I get info about becoming a referee?
A: Contact the our Referee-in-Chief (Executive page)
Q: Where do I get info about becoming a coach or a manager?
A: Contact your Division Director (Executive page)
Q: Can I help?
A: Always! The NRA depends on the strength of the volunteers. Volunteers are always welcome and needed particularly for fundraising, and at the tournament. Contact your Division Director and let them know how you'd like to help.
Q: Who do I call if I need more information about … ?
A: For information on anything, start with your Division Director. Contact information for the Division Directors can be found on the Nepean Ringette Executive page including a form which can be used to send email.
If you don't know which division is for your daughter - or for you - select "General Inquiry" on the email form or choose the executive member whose role appears to be most similar to the nature of the question.