Jacks changed lives, Smith says

Agnes Jacks holds the Sam Jacks Trophy. Photo used with permission of Ringette Canada.

Here is a statement made in the legislature Monday by Nipissing MPP Monique Smith in tribute to the late Agnes Jacks, who died Friday:

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): This weekend, the residents of North Bay and area lost a great member of our community. Agnes Jacks was a very special lady. She was known as Canada's ringette ambassador. Her husband, Sam Jacks, invented the sport in 1963 in North Bay when he was the city's recreation director.

Together, the two promoted ringette and youth participation in sports in northern Ontario and around the world.

Sam and Agnes had three sons; the girls who played ringette in our community became their daughters. Sam and Agnes believed that there was little for girls to do in winter months, especially for those who couldn't afford figure skating or who weren't inclined. Using broken hockey sticks and broomball handles and various types of rings, they developed ringette.

Growing up in North Bay, I always heard the ringette scores, together with the hockey scores, on the radio in the morning. I thought everyone around the world played ringette. And thanks to Agnes and her dedication to the sport, they do. She travelled to Sweden, Finland, Russia and France to promote the game. In Ontario alone, over 13,000 players enjoy ringette. There are 80 local associations. It is played in every province and territory in Canada, and across the country, over 50,000 people participate as players, coaches, officials and volunteers. That is quite a legacy.

Just two weeks ago, Agnes was in Pembroke for the Ontario provincial championships. She attended in her wheelchair, where she officiated over the opening ceremonies and was cheered by thousands. In 2002, for all her good work, Agnes was awarded the Order of Canada.

Agnes died over the weekend. She was 81 years old. She leaves behind three sons, her 11 grandchildren and a legion of fans, friends and girls whose lives she changed because of her encouragement, her passion and her enthusiasm.