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.
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.