22 / sportslife
... And a look at the faces and stories that make up the Winnipeg Ringette League
By Al Gowriluk
Amber Penner – Open Representative; liaison between the players of the Open division and the Winnipeg Ringette league After volunteering for a season as a loop convener, Louise Dowhan- Bertouille suggested that I may make a good replacement for her as the WRL Open Rep. My goal is to encourage a league that works for all Open level players, coming from all levels of play and commitments.
I still play in Open 1, and have played continuously since I was 3 years old.
I am a hydrologist for the Province of Manitoba.
Joan Lachance – WRL Representative for Transcona She’ s been very involved with Transcona Ringette over the years as the Oxford Heights Ringette Convener and as President of Transcona Ringette Association.
She played from the ages of 12 to 18 representing Manitoba at the Nationals twice.
She started volunteering when her daughters started to play. They played from the ages of 4 and 9 until the Open years.
Volunteering must be inbred in Joan’ s DNA as her dad was President of Transcona Ringette. He always had the motto“ Be a part of the solution not a part of the problem” that stuck with Joan. She volunteers for a number of reasons; one, the love of the sport and another, being proud and honoured to work with such dedicated volunteers.“ The time they donate for the players to run a league is so very impressive to me.”
“ I was just inducted into the Ringette Manitoba Hall of Fame Builder category which was a huge surprise and honour.”“ When I am not volunteering with Ringette I volunteer at the St. Boniface Hospital.”
Monique Bohémier Referee In-Chief My mother is the contributing factor for my involvement in ringette. As a player from 1986 to 2008, my desire for nurturing teamwork grew into leadership roles, including coaching from 2005 to 2007, operating a shot clock for the past 11 years, refereeing for the past 8 years, and being newly elected Referee In-Chief for the Winnipeg Ringette League this year. I was also a timekeeper and scorekeeper for a number of years.
Outside of ringette, I am a Registered Dietitian( RD) and a research assistant.
Tara Gilkes – WRL Registrar I am also on the Boni- Vital Ringette Assoc Board. I started out as the rep for officials and will be starting my 3rd year as ringette convenor for Winakwa CC. Prior to this, I sat on Winakwa ringette committee for many years. At BVRA- I represent Winakwabut help where ever I can.
I sit on the board of the Manitoba Ladies Recreational Ringette League having served as Vice President and am completing my term as President. I also play on the Rink Ratz team.
I have been coaching ringette for 29 years including last year U14 A Southdale and managed the Winakwa U16 B team.
I started playing the sport of ringette at age 10 and coaching by 14. I also started as a referee & timekeeper at this time. When I’ m away from the rink, I work in a Co-op Ed program at WPC.
I have two daughters playing ringette Payton( 13) who played on the U 14 A Southdale last year and Madison( 16) played for the U16 B for Winakwa last year.
I truly love giving back to this sport that has given me so much. I just love to volunteer!
Nancy Tovell – Secretary – WRL I volunteered when my oldest daughter started playing 5 years ago. I started out coaching and then I moved on as the WRL rep for St. James Ringette Assoc. and then to the Secretary Position on the WRL Council.
I grew up with strong volunteer role models as my parents were actively involved. Ringette is a sport I have always loved, it has given a lot to me over the years so it is great to be able to give back. I have played ringette from the age of 8. I played 6 years at the AA level for the St James Canadettes and had the good fortune to represent Manitoba at 4 national championships. I have silver and bronze medals as well as a million special memories from these experiences. I have 2 daughters currently playing at the U10 and U14 levels.
Outside of ringette I am a Program Trainer for Bookmates, a non-profit family literacy organization.
Charlene Gerbrandt – WRL Rep for the Boni-Vital Ringette Association I started out last year as the recording secretary and I am now the BVRA rep.
I have been coaching both of my girls for six out of the last seven years. Our family host club is Greendell but both my daughters played with Dakota this past season, at the U14 and U12 levels.
Two seasons ago I joined the ladies league. This league caters to women who have been away from the sport for a number of years. I had not played for close to 20 years.
I played from age 5 into my early 20’ s. Ringette has been my favorite sport and I am super excited that my daughters love it as much as I do.
Coaching, volunteering with the board and at special events allows me to give back to a sport I enjoyed throughout my childhood and now today.
During the weekday I work as a pension administrator for the Manitoba Teachers’ pension plan. During the spring my girls enjoy soccer and basketball. In the summer, our family enjoys camping in Manitoba and Ontario. •