The Zone 2 U14AA Blaze ringette team is celebrating bringing home second place at provincials.
The Blaze headed to Sherwood Park last weekend, where they played four round-robin games and were undefeated until their final game where they lost four to one.
We were the fifth-place team out of nine in the province heading into the tournament,” Head Coach Jody Nouwen said. “Some would say we were underdogs who peaked at just the right time.”
With their win, the team is heading to Saskatchewan in April where they will play against the best teams in the Western Canadian Championships.
“The top teams in B.C. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will compete for the championship which is the highest level you can play at the U14 age level,” Nouwen said.
In September, the Blaze set a goal to obtain a medal in every tournament they played and win gold at provincials. The team finished their regular season with one bronze, two silvers, and one gold.
“The provincial silver is a huge accomplishment coming from a small association such as Zone 2,” Nouwen said. “We believe we are better together and have been working on the concepts of teamwork, communication and having fun throughout the season. The athletes trust each other and the coaching staff.”
Although the team was disappointed that they didn’t place first, they were proud of their achievement in winning a top standing in the province.
The Blaze is made up of athletes from Strathmore, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks, and Emma Ilsley, Rowyn Lynch, Bryce Mullen, and Mackenzie Nouwen from Chestermere.
Going forward, the team is preparing for the championships with a combination of on-ice practice, exhibition games, and off-ice fitness and mental training sessions. The team is training four to five times per week for the month.
“You never know at the beginning of the season where you will land but with hard work and determination, these athletes achieved we are looking forward to some great competition in Regina,” Nouwen said.
Through this season, Nouwen has had many highlights as head coach, including earning a spot at the championships but also coaching a team that respects other teams.
“We are developing these athletes not only on the ice but off the ice as well. A month ago, one of our competitors’ goaltenders got injured quite badly by a skate in her leg,” Nouwen said. “Even though our team was not directly involved in the injury our team signed a card for this athlete and the captains presented it to her to wish her a speedy recovery.”
Some local athletes on the Zone 2 U16AA team also competed at provincials and brought home gold.
“It just goes to show the quality of Zone 2 which includes Chestermere, and the surrounding area. I am proud to be a coach supporting female sport at this level. Many girls drop out of activity around the U14 age and to have this opportunity to encourage girls to remain active and healthy through sport is amazing,” Nouwen said.
Without the dedication and commitment from the assistant coaches and team staff, getting to this point wouldn’t have been possible.
“We all have our roles, and it truly takes a village to support a season like this,” Nouwen said.
