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Book on ringette has strong Sudbury

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW [email protected] When Ken Collins penned his book, The Ring Starts Here: An Illustrated History of Ringette, he wanted to give his hometown of Temiscaming, Que.
BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW

When Ken Collins penned his book, The Ring Starts Here: An Illustrated History of Ringette, he wanted to give his hometown of Temiscaming, Que., some credit for its part in the development of the popular winter sport.

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Ken Collins, a retired teacher, says ringette "took off" in Sudbury 40 years ago.
Not only did he find Temiscaming played a big role, but Northern Ontario, including Espanola and Sudbury, were big players in growing the sport into a national and worldwide sport tens of thousands of females of all ages enjoy today.

"I wrote this book to give some due to Temiscaming, Espanola, Sudbury and other towns I felt weren't getting any credit for funding and growing ringette,"said Collins. "Ringette was first played in Espanola in 1963 and Sudbury was where the first leagues were formed in the playground system.

"When I wrote this book, I did a lot of research because I wanted to get the facts straight. Everything I did is documented."

The book traces the steps ringette first took in Northern Ontario and how it expanded to other parts of the country and around the world.

The book is packed with photographs from the 1960s and 1970s, showing the exploits of young women and spirited supporters as they worked hard to establish the game.

"It took me seven years to put it all together," said Collins. "It gives me a great thrill to finally have a copy in my hands. For me, it has been a long
journey, but it has been worth it."

Locals will find there's plenty of Sudbury content throughout the entire book.

"There's a lot of good Sudbury content in the book because this is where the game really took off. Sudbury tried it in the 60s, and it really grew here."

The majority of the book concentrates on a 10-year period from 1963 to 1972, and highlights ringette founders and visionaries such as Sam Jacks and Mirl "Red" McCarthy.

Both men are responsible for initiating the frozen game in Northern Ontario.

The last chapter of the book focuses on the current status of the game.

The book, which sells for $12.95, can be purchased at Black Cat Too!

Nov. 21 to 27 is National Canada Ringette Week.

"This is a good time to pick up a copy and read about the game's history,"said Collins.

Collins is a retired secondary school teacher. He taught electronics and history in Shawville, Quebec and Sudbury, Ontario.

He and wife, Lucille, have five grown children, and live in Sudbury.



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