Ringette isn't just a game for girls these days.
"A lot of parents put their boys in right at five," said Rhonda Meroniuk, publicity director for the Prince George Ringette Association, adding the skills the boys learn helps them become better hockey players. "They find that after they've played ringette their skills are just that much better than some of the kids that have never played ringette - their stick-handling seems to be a little better."
Meroniuk said she'd like to see "a lot of new faces" Saturday at Kin 3 Arena when PGRA teams up with Pacific Sports of Northern B.C. for a come-try-ringette event.
"They approached us about taking part in their Sports Day in Canada function," said Meroniuk. "We teamed up with them and we have our U-14 team and their coach Keith Sullivan coming out and do the come-try-ringette event."
Everyone five and over is invited to stop by Kin 3 between 11 and 11:50 a.m. to try their skill at ringette; all that's needed are skates, helmets and gloves. The event is free.
Last weekend, the PGRA hosted a ringette demonstration, which saw nine participants and resulted in five new registrations.
The number of boys and girls signed up for the 2011-2012 season is considerably down from last season.
"We're not really sure what's going on," said Meroniuk. "We definitely have lost some kids to hockey - they tend to get a little more ice time [for practices and games]."
PGRA had 72 players registered Thursday, down from "well over 100" last season.
Meroniuk said the PGRA has received enough ice time for the upcoming season, which would guarantee each team two sessions during the week, plus the odd weekend that would be divided evenly among the kids.
