Renee Delarosbil, standing on the left, and Christale
"Cujo" Trottier, are focusing intently on the lap top in front
of Sarah Watters, Vice President of the Valley East Ringette Association
in charge of Player Development.
Both Renee and Christale have been invited to try out for Team Ontario
during the week of May 24 to 28. Sarah, who plays in the National Ringette
League, has no doubt that one day both of these talented athletes will
also be playing in the NRL.
For 14-year old Renee, this is her 7th season in ringette. Other than
keeping up her marks as a Grade 9 student at Ecole Secondaire L'Horizon,
this is her life, and she loves it! Renee plays centre on all of her teams
and is known for her speed and her shot. She is one of the top scorers in
the league.
Fifteen-year old Christale is in her 6th season and attends Grade 10 at
L'Horizon. According to both Renee and Sarah, Christale, who goes by the
nickname of "Cujo" is an "awesome" goalie. One of the
best the north has ever seen.
Both girls were members of the Valley East Ringette Association Junior
A Club which recently took home the Provincial Championships for the first
time in the history of the association.
Valley East defeated North Bay in the Playdowns to qualify for the
Provincials in Sault Ste Marie. There they defeated Thunder Bay, Ajax,
Ottawa and Bois Brillant (near the border of Quebec). Their only loss in
the tournament came from Hamilton. They then downed North Bay in the
championship game to take home top honours.
Besides playing for the Junior 'A' team, which consists of players
under the age of 16, both girls also play on the Northeastern 'AAA'
Belles which includes girls from 16 to 18 years of age. This club includes
the top players from Northeastern Ontario, and is a mix of players from
Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and the Sudbury area. They play in
four tournaments during the year around the province.
Renee and Christale were two of six girls who were invited to the Team
Ontario tryouts. Others included Danyka Gagnon who lives in Valley East
but plays for the Sudbury Junior 'A' team; sisters Erika & Jena
Kiviaho from Walden, who also play on the Valley East Junior 'A' team; and
Danielle Proulx of Timmins.
Just to be invited to the tryouts as "under-agers" is a huge
compliment to these young girls and an indication that the people around
the province have taken notice of their skill level.
