Nipissing to host national ringette finals

The finest university ringette teams in Canada will be in North Bay this January and next, competing for gold medal glory as Nipissing University hosts the University Challenge Cup (UCC), aka the national championship for university ringette, in 2013 and 2014.
Nipissing will welcome 16 teams from universities across Canada, competing in two tiers.  There will be 64 games played over five days at Memorial Gardens and the Sam Jacks complex (West Ferris Arena).  After complete round robin play, the top four teams from each tier move on to the single-elimination semi-finals and finals.

The 2013 tournament will be held January 2-6.  The 2014 UCC will happen in conjunction with the World Ringette Championship in early January, 2014.

The past two UCCs have been hosted by Western University, with the University of Alberta taking home the tier I championship, and McMaster University earning the tier II championship.

Nipissing’s ringette team is in its third year of competition.  They will compete in tier II play.

“Our team is excited to be hosting a great event and playing some fantastic ringette,” said head coach Jeff Francom.  “We have been improving steadily each year and narrowly missed winning a bronze medal last year.  Our goal is to win gold, which will be extra special at home, and I think we have a great shot this year.”

“Nipissing is very proud to be selected as the host institution of the national ringette championships. It’s a prestigious event that allows us to showcase our university and our city on a national scale while enhancing the university experience for all our students,” said Vito Castiglione, Nipissing’s manager of sports and recreation and tournament chair.  “It is going to be a great experience for our team, our students and our fans, as well as the entire city.”

For more information about Canadian University Ringette, visit their website:www.canadianuniversityringette.ca

Note: Nipissing’s ringette team will be holding tryouts on Friday, September 14, from 3 - 4 p.m. and Friday, September 21, from 3 - 4 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.  For more information, contact head coach Jeff Francom atjeff.francom@canadorecollege.ca?.