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 . •