University Challenge Cup making a difference for ringette exposure

By Lethbridge Herald on December 30, 2024.

University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Rachel Bushfield trips over University of Guelph’s Sarah Storey while battling for the ring during University Challenge Cup action over the weekend. Herald photo by Justin Seward

Justin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – sports@lethbridgeherald.com

The University Challenge Cup ringette national championship that has been hosted in Lethbridge over the last five days has made an impact on the sport’s exposure and growing the game in different ways.

“I think it’s great both locally and across Canada,” said Rachel Bushfield, second-year University of Lethbridge Pronghorn player.

“I think we have lots of little Horn supporters coming out from the Lethbridge Ringette Association which is great. So I think that it helps. It also helps the community with bringing in these teams and showing what high ringette can look like.”

Bushfield spoke about the importance of Friday’s win over their rivals, the University of Calgary Dinos.

“I think that showing that we are competitive …  (shows) we can keep up and dominate, (and) is great for the sport within Lethbridge itself, bringing girls in and growing them up through the associations,” said Bushfield.

Bushfield gave her stance on university ringette.

“I think that there’s lots to grow but I also think that events like this help show that we are growing and … there is a difference being made for girls, so that their ringette careers can continue into university,” said Bushfield.

Francesca Teskey is a fifth-year Horn and talked about the UCC’s growth.

“Just seeing the teams getting better and better each year has been really cool to watch and be a part of,” said Teskey.

Teskey realizes the importance of the UCC for the U of L and the city.

“It is really big because other than the hockey teams, ringette is a very big part of Lethbridge,” said Teskey.

“I think a majority of Lethbridgians know of the Pronghorns ringette team, especially if they have kids in it.”

Calgary’s Kayla Baker plays for Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie Tigers and is competing in her third UCC.

“This university ringette gives girls who are not necessarily done with ringette a chance to keep playing ringette throughout their university career,” said Baker.

“We don’t play this sport for the glory, nobody’s going pro really, but we play this because we love this sport.”

Dalhousie has given older players another chance to play the game.

“In our league that we play in back home is starting to get more girls who maybe have retired from the sports and are coming back because there is more competition now,” said Baker.

“So it’s starting to grow, it’s starting to get more competitive with new programs coming up in the province itself.”

Baker’s teammate Ashley Kasemets finds spreading out the tournament across Canada will get more recognition for ringette.

“I find it doesn’t get a lot of recognition, especially with the hockey community, or in terms of viewers and broadcasts,” said Kasemets.

“I’ve met people who don’t even know what the sport is. So it gives people an opportunity to hear about it, watch the games, understand the sport and have that opportunity to join in.”