SPORT PROMOTION Create an alumni program Keep alumni engaged in the sport - use alumni as resources Look for corporate sponsorship - target female brands, Subway and other healthy food options Have a person at the provincial level or internship for university student that is specifically focussed on media relations - Get Ringette on tv! (TSN, local networks, stream on you tube could be an option as well) - You tube clips about Ringette featured on ORA site and local Ringette association sites - Clips of Ringette players playing, interviews, and off-ice activities combined for promotion at local association events/Bingo events/Mall events

SPORT PROMOTION (cont’d) Look at getting Ringette back into our high schools - make this an easier process for insurance purposes - make University Ringette Varsity Utilize Come Try Ringette/Bring a Friend Advertise more to local schools; demo Ringette at schools and talk to teachers about incorporating into gym program Expansion of existing programs into areas where no Ringette currently is being played -Focus on bunnies -Discount/ free registration for first year players -Learn to skate programs Older players mentor younger players and get them more involved

SPORT PROMOTION (Cont’d) Look at how we can make the sport cheaper for all Ensure your association has a display case and that it is up to date with Ringette information and achievements Showcase Timbits Ringette – contact them about advertising Ringette program not just hockey and soccer More Social Media presence OWG 55+ games for adult Ringette players More parent engagements and information available at Learn to Skate/CTR Events Alayne Martell - can we use her as a resource? Ringette Day in Ontario

SPORT GROWTH Target moms bringing kids back into Ringette Connect with Ringette Canada about how we can raise awareness of our sport Revamp the ORA Website - make it searchable Retention of players Poll kids leaving the sport - Why are they leaving? Age of the kids leaving? What is missing from their experience in rink? -Suggestion: Poll kids at end of season and get them before they leave, see what they like and dislike about the season Expansion into new centers - could a college student help create this?

SPORT GROWTH (Cont’d) Trillium Grant options for funding to support growth – new format, research how to do it correctly Jumpstart Promotion GM Canada – new helmets for new participants; look at assistance with Ringette cages as well Get it into the school system 1 st year player discounts Showcase games (NRL, U19AA)

FAIR ICE POLICY Education- that everyone is aware that Ontario has a fair ice policy in place and where to find it in the manual – suggestion: to create a “For Coaches” section Enforcement and consistency so that all teams are following it as per instructions Publish a list of the teams who have abused the policy online - suggestion to create a wall of glory instead to emphasize the positive not negative Review each level and division and make sure it is logical and practical

ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition at association and provincial level Clear Job descriptions outlining the tasks that each volunteer signing up is responsible for Get volunteers into it early - target U9/U10 parents - have executive meet these parents - show interest and encourage them to get more involved for the better of the sport List of all important dates at the association and provincial level to ensure easy management of timelines by associations and presidents Shot Clock online training – this does exist! Train Board Members (eg. The United Way) Associations should be assisting with succession planning at the Board Level

LONG-TERM PLANNING Advertise Redesign the website to promote the sport and make more user friendly Planned and sustained promotion of events – not just single occurrences Cross promotion with other sports (lacrosse, soccer, figure skating) ORA promotional flyers/tools for the associations to use Increase visibility of the sport as a whole

LONG-TERM PLANNING (Cont’d) Consideration of the adult program – would U24 be work better for the year olds? Need for a special committee at the ORA board level to build a comprehensive plan with a 3-5 yr commitment to initiate, support and measure - Develop strategic vision with input - Each association has competing challenges: -hockey -new ethic communities that do not traditionally play ice sports - kids play multi-sports - ice availability

LONG-TERM PLANNING (Cont’d) Challenge of always being in survival mode; hard to think beyond immediate needs Investigate Corporate Sponsorship Connect with Ringette Canada to support and have a clear focus on recruitment and promotion nationwide Run ORA as a business Demystify LTAD/Sport Development - Promotion - Skill Development Expansion of provincial events? Yes or No Safety of the sport (officials, recruitment of players, coaches) Respect in Sport - is this a program that Ontario Ringette should be a part of?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT What do we want Ringette in Ontario to look like in 5 years? 10 years? How can be best highlight and ‘sell’ the uniqueness of our sport? How do we access more ice if we see the growth we long for? Is it something our sport can handle?