Editor's note: This story has been amended to reflect widespread cancellations of sporting events and gatherings of more than 250 people in Alberta due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The city’s ringette community was anticipating hosting three events March 13 to 15, but the ongoing COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) has forced the Airdrie Ringette Association (ARA) to cancel its Ring of Fire (ROF) and Come-Try-It events and Ringette Alberta's the U14A provincial championships.
“It’s a very busy week but a great way to end the season,” said Liz Kusler, Airdrie Sting U16A head coach and ARA public relations officer, prior to the cancellations.
“It’s going to be a big showcase for Airdrie ringette.”
The rinks at Genesis Place Recreation Centre and the Ron Ebbesen Arena will be full of action, kicking off with the association’s semi-annual ROF.
“The Ring of Fire is always exciting because it showcases what a great organization we have,” Kusler said.
“The tournament itself is extremely well run and it’s a rather big tournament.”
While the November iteration features players aged 12 and up, Kusler said the March tournament is for younger athletes.
“We used to have it all at once and it was just way too much, so we’ve split it into two tournaments,” she said. “It actually works out really well, because the focus is on a smaller group of kids.”
The tourney will feature 21 teams from across Alberta, Kusler said, including eight from Airdrie. Because provincial championships don’t start until the U14 age group, she said ROF will likely be the final tournament of the 2019-20 season for most teams.
At the same time, Airdrie will host the U14A provincial championships at Genesis Place. Competitors will include the four top-ranked “A” division teams from both southern and northern Alberta.
“They had their separate play-downs, which are sort of like mini-tournaments, to participate in the provincials,” Kusler said. “There will be some stiff competition, for sure, and provincials are always exciting.”
As the host team, the Airdrie Sting U14A team did not have to qualify.
“The ladies are super excited,” head coach Darren Turner said. “This is a great opportunity for Airdrie to showcase some great ringette and to show off our city while bonding with Calgary and Edmonton teams.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
