Local Ringette Trio Playing in Ontario Winter Games

Amanda Storie is one of three local players selected to play on a regional Under 17 All-Star Ringette team. Photo submitted.

Three local ringette players will be living their dream this weekend as they participate in the Ontario Winter Games under 17 tournament to be held this year in Barrie/Collingwood from March 8th to 12th.

Alexandra Parker (13), Amanda Storie (14) and Brianna Belzile (15) will be part of the Northeast Region Belle AAA ringette all-star squad that will represent the region in the six team tournament. Throughout the four day championship, they will square off against teams from eastern, central, southern, northwestern and western Ontario divisions with finals to be held on Sunday.

The journey began last spring when the locals answered the invitation from Coach Jackie Glogger of Sudbury to try out for the team.

"The first tryout was really tough," said Storie.

"They skated us really hard. I guess they just wanted to see if we could keep up."

All three players have had a full season playing in the AAA loop as well as with the North Bay Paramedics/CTS Canadian Career College Junior A team, which has also had a very successful season in tournament play. The AAA program, which includes select players from each region, only takes place every two years to coincide with the Ontario Winter Games. The expectation that the skaters remain with their regular rep teams during the season was a condition of the offer to join the AAA squad.

"This has been a really positive experience, we all get along so well and I'm glad I decided to do this," said Belzile.

Throughout the season, the trio has spent most weekends on the road. Three Challenge Cups with the AAAs, monthly training camps throughout northeastern Ontario as well as three out of town tournaments with their "A" team have been worth the sacrifice.

Since the Northeast team is in a rebuilding year, several of the players are under age. Although there are Belle-aged players on the roster many, including Storie and Belzile, are junior age, and will be eligible for the AAA team again in two years. Parker, a second year tween playing up two divisions, will have two more chances after this one.

"I think it's awesome and I'm really having fun," said Parker.

"I'm getting to play against girls who are four and five years older than I am, who play in AA Belle leagues in southern and eastern Ontario."

The Games will begin Thursday morning in Borden when the Northeast team meets the powerhouse Eastern squad. Opening ceremonies celebrations will take place Thursday evening in Collingwood, where over 3000 athletes will meet in the Village at Blue Events Plaza. Juno Award nominee for blues album of the year The Jimmy Bowskill Band will perform.

Submitted to BayToday.ca