Calgary Wins Bid to Host Ringette Canada’s 2021 National Championships

December 16, 2019

Ringette Canada - 2021 Canadian Ringette Championships set to attract more than 3,000 visitors and projected to inject $5 million into Calgary’s economy
 
Dec. 12, 2019 – Tourism Calgary and Ringette Calgary’s winning bid is bringing Ringette Canada’s national championships back to Calgary. Centered at WinSport in April 2021, the 43rd annual Canadian Ringette Championships are anticipated to attract more than 3,000 athletes, coaches and fans from across the country and is projected to inject $5 million into Calgary’s economy.
 
“Securing Calgary as the host city for the 2021 Canadian Ringette Championships is a testament to the strength of the partnership between Tourism Calgary and Ringette Calgary,” said Jeff Daniels, Executive Director, Sport, Culture & Major Events, Tourism Calgary. “Hosting national sporting events like this present unique opportunities to showcase Calgary’s hosting abilities and shareable experiences to event organizers, athletes and fans.”
 
“While the 2021 bid process was very competitive, Calgary’s submission distinctly stood apart from the many strong bids presented by other destinations,” said Natasha Johnston, Executive Director, Ringette Canada. “We are confident our athletes and fans will have a memorable experience in Calgary and look forward to working with the host committee to deliver an outstanding event in 2021.”
 
“Ringette Calgary is honoured that our sport’s top national event will be hosted on home ice in 2021,” said Thu Blackwell, President of Ringette Calgary. “Our local ringette community has a reputation for being ultimate hosts, and an undeniable passion for the game. We’re eager to share our community spirit with fellow players and fans from across the country, and to create lasting legacies that support the future of ringette in Calgary.”
 
Between 40 – 48 teams will make their way to Calgary in 2021 to compete in their assigned U16, U19 and National Ringette League divisions. To learn more about this longstanding national event, visit: https://www.ringette.ca/events/canadian-ringette-championships/
 
-30-
Media inquiries:

Jennifer Leak
Manager of Safe Sport and Events
Ringette Canada
(P) 613.748.5655 - ext. 220
(E) jennifer@ringette.ca

Bridgette Slater
Communication Specialist
Tourism Calgary
(C) 403.978.2609
(E) bridgettes@tourismcalgary.com  
Thu Blackwell
President
Ringette Calgary
(C) 403.461.7743
(E) president@ringettecalgary.ca
 

 
 
About Ringette
Ringette is a Canadian sport that was invented in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario by the late Sam Jacks. There are currently nearly 32,000 players on nearly 2,000 teams across Canada, with over 1,500 officials and nearly 8,000 coaches. Internationally, it is played in more than half a dozen other countries around the world. Ringette has been designated a Heritage Sport by Sport Canada and as part of the Sport for Life movement, ringette is well advanced at adapting Sport Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development model. For more information, please refer to the Ringette Canada website at www.ringette.ca.
 
About Ringette Calgary
Ringette Calgary has seen tremendous growth in the city over the last 40+ years. What started with just three teams in 1977, the league has now grown to 106 teams with over 2,200 players. Calgary is home to the largest ringette tournament, Esso Golden Ring, which will be in its 35th year in 2021.  Calgary also currently holds the first ringette-related Guinness World Record ever set in 2013 for "Most Players in a Ringette Exhibition Match". In 1990 and 2004, Calgary hosted the Canadian Ringette Championships. Ringette Calgary and its community look forward to hosting this spectacular event again in 2021.
 
About Tourism Calgary
Tourism Calgary is the official destination marketing and development organization for Calgary's tourism industry. For more than 50 years, the organization’s primary purpose has been to promote Calgary and area as the destination of choice for travellers.
 
With a vision of making Calgary the ultimate host city, Tourism Calgary markets the city locally, nationally and internationally and advocates for its ongoing development as a destination. The organization hosts and attracts visitors and events and activates the city by fostering the growth of shareable, memorable experiences. Calgary’s tourism industry contributes approximately $2 billion in visitor spending by over 7.7 million visitors annually.
 
For more information about Tourism Calgary, please visit www.visitcalgary.com or follow @TourismCalgary on social channels.