U12/Development Division
Our Approach to U12 Ringette in Saskatoon
The U12 division represents an important transition within the Saskatoon Ringette Association (SRA), as athletes move from foundational skill development towards more advanced play and personal growth. Our guiding philosophy is grounded in the principles of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) and the belief that fostering a healthy, engaging environment benefits both our athletes and the broader Saskatoon ringette community.
Key Principles
Focus on Athlete Development
- U12 is a developmental stage. Our primary goal is to nurture individual growth—athletically, socially, and emotionally—by aligning with the Learn to Train stage in the LTAD model.
Building a Strong Ringette Community - Inter-division play is our priority. The SRA prioritizes the value of local competition and camaraderie, ensuring that all U12 athletes have meaningful opportunities to play, learn, and grow together.
Team Structure and Placement - Each season, team numbers and composition are based on registration levels. Typically, this results in a mix of teams within different levels within the division (Blue, White, Red).
- Placement is determined by skill evaluation. These placements reflect the athlete’s current stage of development, not a fixed “track” for the future.
Competition and Tournaments - Development over outcomes. While some SRA teams may face strong competition from other Associations at tournaments, our division’s main objective is skill progression and athlete retention, not necessarily tournament wins.
- All U12 teams receive equal SRA-provided ice time and the same maximum number of sanctioned tournament opportunities, as set out in SRA policy.
- Additional activities (e.g., dryland training, extra skating) must also follow SRA guidelines to ensure a balanced, positive experience.
Retention and Athlete Well-being - The SRA’s top priority is that athletes enjoy their season and return to ringette year after year.
Why We do it this way
Ringette is a “late specialization” sport. At the U12 level, athletes benefit from playing and training with others of similar skill, but specialization and rigid competitive streams formally begins at U14. The structure of our U12 division ensures:
- Like-skilled athletes can learn together, supporting each player’s confidence and engagement.
- All athletes have access to the same resources, regardless of team placement (subject to how any particular team’s coaching staff chooses to operate within the SRA guidelines).
- Each year’s teams are newly formed based on the evolving skills of the group, so there is always opportunity for movement and growth.
“Our focus is on long-term athlete development, building confidence, and progressing skills. Growth happens at all levels and every team receives equitable opportunity to learn and compete."
resources & further reading
Ringette Canada: Long Term Athlete Development
Sport for Life: Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity
Questions?
For questions about the U12 Division, contact: development@saskatoonringette.ca