The Sport of Ringuette Ringette is a team sport on ice created specially for girls. The purpose of the game is to shoot the ring into the opponent's goal, using a stick without a blade, thereby scoring points. For this, all the players have to work together since no one is allowed to skate across a blue line with the ring. Therefore, the values of cooperation sharing and team spirit are at the heart of this sport. Safety is also a priority; violence, whether physical or verbal, is not tolerated. No boarding or body checking is allowed; so then, it is not the fear of the opponent that motivates the passing of the ring, but the making of well planned plays. Finally, no one is allowed in the goalie crease. This prevents obstruction and physical contact with the goaltender. The Beaconsfield/Kirkland Ringuette Association (serving players from Baie D'Urfé, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Senneville) has been an active part of the community for the last 30 years. In the 2007-08 season, 195 players were registered from ages 4 - 6 (Bunnies) to Intermediate (18 and over). The Lac Saint-Louis region is composed of 5 local associations (Pointe-Claire/Dorval, Pierrefonds/D.D.O., Saint-Laurent, Vaudreuil/Dorion and BKRA) and includes almost 1,000 players. Over 3,000 girls play in the greater Montreal area, over 5,000 in our province and 25,000 in Canada. We welcome beginners in the Bunnies group as young as 4 years old or in any age category in the participation level (C). The coaches help each girl acquire the basic techniques of skating, stick handling and much more. Each team has, on average, a practice and a game each week. Most of the activities are in LSL area arenas. Our teams give an equal amount of ice time to each of its players in every activity. For players who look for competition, the B (usually in LSL), A (interregional) and AA (junior, cadette and open) levels provide the desired challenges. So, whether it is for a recreational activity or for the development of superior athletic abilities, ringette is structured to meet these objectives. A ringette season starts at the end of august with registration. The beginning of September is used for player evaluation, team formation and exhibition games. The pre-season is from the end of September to mid-October and serves to place the teams in the proper levels. The regular season (usually 15 games from Oct. to Feb.) ends with the playoffs at the end of Feb. or early March. They are followed by the finals (mid or end of March) and the provincials for the B, A, and AA levels (and Quebec games for the junior AA). Each team usually play in 2 or 3 (maximum) tournaments. These are exciting weekends with at least 3 games where the challenge is to compete for a medal or a trophy in a short term context. As for my family and I, we will begin our 5th season in this action filled sport. Through it, my daughter has established enriching and long lasting friendships. In addition to school, municipal recreational activities and soccer, BKRA has greatly contributed in developing her sense of belonging to the community, her physical fitness and her social skills. I hope your child will experience the same benefits from it as well. For any additional information feel welcome to contact any of our board members (see under 'executive'). On behalf of the entire executive of BKRA, we are looking forward to meeting you around the rink, Dean Provencher, 2008-09 BKRA President