For as long as Municipal Recreation has existed there has been, with some justification, a concern that our sports tended to be male oriented.

Over the years attempts have been made to discover or create a new winter court or rink game for girls.

Broomball was such a game, and for some time girls Ice Hockey had a certain success. Neither of these games seemed to have the acceptance of the female population as indicated by lack of growth.

Ringette is a new attempt to provide a winter team sport, on skates, for girls.

The original concept was that of Mr. S. Jacks, Director of Parks and Recreation of North Bay, in 1963. That same year the Northern Ontario Directors of Municipal Recreation requested Mr. Red McCarthy, Director of Recreation of Espanola, to experiment with the game and draw up some basic rules. These rules in turn were experimented with during the winter of 1964-65 by many of our Northern Communities. At the meeting of Northern Directors at the Chalet, Trout Creek, Ontario, May 31st, 1965, the first complete set of rules were drawn up.

Attending the meeting were the following Recreationists:

1. The playing area shall be any outdoor or indoor icerink on which ice hockey is played.

1. The two blue lines of the standard hockey rink are the main rink markings.
2. In the event of a rink being used exclusively for Ringette the area is divided into three equal parts by the blue lines.
3. Goal crease marking shall be a half circle with an (8) eight foot radius from a point half way between standard hockey goal posts. Straight lines extending parallel to the goal post shall join the half circle.

1. There shall be six players:
   • 1 goal keeper
   • 2 forwards
   • 2 defence
   • 1 center
2. The two defence may play only in their own defensive zone and the centre zone.
3. The two forwards may play only in the center zone and the offensive zone.
4. The center may play in all three zones.
5. All players will wear skates.
6. A team shall have a maximum of (18) eighteen players, and no less than (12) twelve.
7. Changes of players will be made only when the play is stopped.

1. All ages are as of January 1st of the current playing season.
2. There will be two age groups.

1. Ski slacks or similar snug fitting clothing may be worn.
2. Any uniform pullover, sweat top or sweater may be worn.
3. Members of a team must be similarly dressed, in regards to section V Sub-section (b).

1. THE RING The standard rubber deck tennis ring will be used.
2. THE PLAYERS STICK a broom stick or hockey stick (without blade) both ends rounded and smooth. NOTE: Maximum length of stick, armpit length while on skates.
   • DEFENCE sticks will be coloured RED.
   • FORWARDS YELLOW
   • CENTER WHITE
3. GOAL STICK Junior Hockey goal stick painted PINK.

1. The ring must be passed or shot over each line (this includes the goal crease).
2. The player passing or shooting the ring across a line may not touch the puck until it has been touched by another player.
3. Within the rules as stated in Section III, players may take any position on the ice surface.
4. The ring may not be passed to a teammate if it crosses (2) two blue lines.
5. The ring may be shot at the goal from anywhere.

1. There will be (2) two periods of (20) minutes straight time.
2. There will be a ten minute half time rest period.
3. Overtime and its length will be at the discretion of each individual league.

1. On all face offs the ring will be placed on the ice, the referee shall have the players place their sticks on the ice approximately 18 from the ring. Play shall commence when the whistle is blown.
2. The two players facing off cannot retrieve the ring until it has been touched by another player.
3. In the event of a fully marked hockey rink being used players will remain outside the circle during face offs.
4. In the event of an unmarked rink, the distance from the face off is at the discretion of the referee. This will also be the case when violations take Place in specific areas not covered by circles.

1. Entering a circle on a face off in advance of the whistle.
2. Shooting the ring out of bounds.
3. Deliberately holding the ring out of play.
4. Any team member speaking to officials.
5. Any player entering the goal crease.
6. Goal keeper interfering with players.
7. Carrying the ring over a blue line.

1. The play will stop immediately.
2. Possession of the ring will be given to the opposing team at the spot the violation occurred.
3. Any player on the team will then place their stick in the ring, the opposition and their own players will step back a minimum of (6) six feet and play will resume on the officials whistle.

1. To body check an opponent.
2. To cross check an opponent.
3. To impede a player not in possession of the ring.
4. To play with a damaged stick.
5. To board check an opponent.
6. To trip an opponent.
7. To deliberately put a ring out of play.
8. To raise any part of the stick above shoulder height.

1. Play will stop immediately.
2. The offending player will be given a 2 minute penalty.

1. Any minor foul with the deliberate attempt to injure.
2. Offensive Language.

1. Banishment from the game.

1. A Goal Keeper must not hold the ring out of play for more than 3 seconds.
2. In the case of 16 (a) the ring will be awarded to the opposing team at the nearest circle

1. A minimum of four players must be on the ice.
2. In the case of one of the remaining players being penalized, she will be replaced by an unpenalized player.
3. In the case of 17 (b) the penalized player s time will not start until there are (4) four unpenalized players on the ice.

1. If an injury occurs the play will stop immediately.
2. An injured player will be replaced and a referee's time out declared during this delay.

1. Spectators will be the responsibility of the home team.

1. It shall be the prerogative of the referee to have removed any object connected with the facilities or personal apparel of the players or their equipment that he deems dangerous.