The U16A Forest Xtreme Ringette team will compete as Team Ontario at the 2024 Eastern Canadian Ringette Championships (ECRC).
The event will be held from April 11 to 14 in Charlottetown, PEI.
The club recently captured gold at the Ringette Ontario provincial championships in Waterloo for the second year in a row.
They defeated the Dorchester Dragons 3-0 in the final contest.
President Rachel Orvis said she's very proud of the team.
"Our Under-16 A-level (U16A) team competed against the strongest teams in the province and ultimately came out on top with a 7-0 record, outscoring their opponents 24-5," said Orvis. "Each of these players demonstrated their passion and commitment for the sport of ringette in their final gold medal game. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments."
Forest Xtreme Ringette has competed in the ECRC tournament in the past.
In 2019, the U19 squad represented Team Ontario, in 2022 as the U16A group represented the ‘wild card’ team, and last year both the U19A and the U16A clubs represented Team Ontario.
U16A head coach Jim Rops reflected on their season.
"To achieve Team Ontario representation is an honour and our team was very determined to reach this goal for the season," said Rops. "We had some challenges throughout the season with 2 season ending injuries for players, but we really pulled together and these girls played their best possible ringette. It really reflects our love of the sport and our determination to be the best we can possibly be."
Training for the ECRC tournament has already begun as the players prepare to compete with teams representing Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI.
Forest Xtreme Ringette said it would not be able to compete in the Eastern Canadian Championships without generations of volunteers, players, parents, donors, sponsors and supporters who have contributed to its success.
The club, established in 1986, is well known across the province for being a highly competitive organization that prides itself on developing players who love the game of ringette.