5-Count Ringette Goalie Camp - Dates Pending

Full details: More information to be shared when available

MHRA Goalie Program

The Medicine Hat Ringette Association follows the goaltender development guidelines from Ringette Alberta  and the Canadian Ringette Association Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) policy.

The Medicine Hat Ringette Association values our goalies.  We want to provide as much training and support as possible to the individuals who stand on guard in net.  A yearly multi-day camp, 5-Count Ringette Goalie Instruction, is offered with instruction from professional goalie coaches, to help goalies hone their skills and develop their reflexes. All ringette players interested in playing goal are welcome at the training camps. There are no additional fees for goalies participating in the goalie clinics/sessions.

Mentoring for goalies is also a priority.  Older goaltenders will frequently meet with the younger aged netminders to share their knowledge and experience. The relationship with the older girls allows the next generation of goalies to ask questions and get support throughout the season.

Goalie FAQs

• If your child is interested in trying the goalie position, why not encourage them to try something they might enjoy? Especially in the U9 to U12 age groups, please avoid negative or fearful comments. We encourage you to set them up with positive support and language.
• Being a goalie is a physically demanding position that builds physical strength, stamina, agility, flexibility and mental resilience. Your child will continue to get lots of exercise as a goalie.
• Goalie equipment is provided to all teams as required. Your Full-Time or Part-Time goalie is welcome to use the team gear. However, many FT goalies prefer to have their own gear that fits them properly and that they can use for other training sessions or off-season camps.

Goalies Play for Free

The MHRA understands that to be a goalie there are additional equipment costs, so they have implemented a Goalies Play Free program. For any goalie that commits to playing 100% of their season in net they will receive a full reimbursement of fees at the end of the season to be used towards their equipment costs.

For more information on how your daughter can try out for a goalie position and qualify for the Goalies Play for Free this year contact our Goaltending Development Co-ordinator, goalies@mhringette.com 

Ringette Alberta Goaltender Development

Ringette Alberta often gets asked, “How much playtime should a goaltender get at U10 & U12?”

Here are some notes we have put together on that topic:

• It is critical for people to understand that the stages in the LTAD model include broad chronological age ranges as a guide and that it is incorrect to say that U Whatever is absolutely equal to X stage.
• People have to use their noggins to make informed choices about what is appropriate in an individual athlete’s journey.
• They can use the LTAD model (as challenging as it is to read), the Ringette Essentials, the full Athlete Development Matrix once it is released and some common sense to make their best decisions.
• Awareness of predictable attrition (in all sports, not just ringette) as players go through their teenage years tells us that putting all one’s eggs in a few (or one) goaltender basket at U10 and U12 will all but guarantee a goaltender shortage in U14, U16 and U19.  We’re seeing that once again this September with everyone from C to AA asking Ringette Alberta to help them resolve goaltender issues exacerbated, in large part, by decisions being made in U10 and U12
• Folks often confuse “no early specialization” (in a particular sport) vs position specialization in ringette vs goaltender specialization vs the rest. It is okay to specialize in the goal years before it would be acceptable for players to specialize in forward, centre or defence.
• When an individual is not playing goal, this does not mean she must play another position.  If she doesn’t want to play forward, defence or centre, she doesn’t have to.
• Kids that absolutely do not want to play goal shouldn’t be forced to, however, their refusal is often rooted in the fear of failure which is a manifestation of how much emphasis people put on the outcomes of games involving children.  We’ve instituted the small nets to give kids who are trying goal a fighting chance.  Other steps, like not keeping score will also help. Leagues and tournaments can take steps to make winning less of an emphasis.
• Generally speaking, at U10 Step 1 and U10 Step 2, all the kids should be rotated through all positions
• Generally speaking, at U10 Step 3 and U12 a kid may be a full time goaltender but: a) all kids who are interested in the position must be given the opportunity in practice and games b) no kid plays more than 50% of the games so that others have the opportunity to play and develop their interest in the position.
• Above all, short term performance goals (winning now) needs to take a back seat to long term development objectives. What this means for goaltenders is not being too worried about winning at U10 and U12 so that teams are viable, because they have a goaltender, in subsequent years.

Please also note that “Full Time Goaltender” is not the same as a Goaltender who plays 100% of the time.  A player who defines themselves as “Full Time” simply means that they do not play any other positions.  With that said, if a team follows the 50% recommendation mentioned above, the “Full Time” Goaltender would sit out the game and not play when another player is in net.

Goalie Coaching Resources

goalie practice plans

goalie drills

goalie development - coaching tips

pregame goalie warmup

goalie terms and skills

goalie equipment guidelines

goalie 5 R’s mental toughness

Do ringette goalies butterfly?

National Ringette School - goalie drills and other drills

Beaconsfield Kirkland Ringette Association - goalie tips and drills VIDEOS

Coaches:

• Encouraging as many goalies as possible at the Children’s Ringette (U10-U12) level is critical to address the shortage of goalies in the older age groups (U14-U19).
• In AS and U10, all players should be given the opportunity to play the position.
• In U12, even if your team has a FT goalie, it is strongly recommended that you encourage any PT goalies or other interested players on your team to play the position. (ie. serve as your team’s back up goalie instead of using an affiliate, attend the goalie clinics, dress as a second goalie for full-ice practices).
• See the Ringette Alberta website for their notes on Goaltender Development: https://ringettealberta.com/goaltender-development/

Questions