Bruce and Barb Jacks accompanied Team Finland to Agnes and Sam's gravesite in North Bay on Sunday, January 5, 2014. It was an emotional experience. The Finns, who claimed all trophies, lit candles in respect of the man who invented ringette and the woman who worked diligently to introduce the game to the world. Photo provided by Barb and Bruce Jacks
World Ringetter Championships
News Release
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The light from the Ontario Ringette Association's sponsored Families First fireworks faded days ago.
The blue dots on centre ice at Memorial Gardens have disappeared.
The Clarion has long ago made its beds, cleaned its rooms and placed its lampshades back to where they belong.
The 113 World athletes from Finland, Canada, USA and Sweden, each newly clad with Zeal Optics sunglasses, have left North Bay and the last Tim Hortons bus trip back to Pearson airport is now complete.
And while the Sam Jacks Series will linger on for a few weeks on Cogeco-on-Demand, committee members from the 2013 World Ringette Championships have said goodbye to all participants and partners after a two-year commitment to bring the fastest game on ice home, to the birthplace of ringette, in its 50th anniversary year.
Thank you sponsors
Along with the sponsors mentioned above, the committee thanks FedNor and Ontario's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport for their significant financial contribution to the games.
The committee also thanks its gold sponsors: Clark Communications and Marketing, Canadore College, North Bay Chrysler, U-Need-a-Cab and Cor Maximus; its silver sponsors: NECO, Investors Group, RBC Royal Bank, The Brownstone Kitchen & Bath Gallery, Nipissing University, the Lions Club District A5, the Battalion and the City of North Bay and its bronze sponsors: The Escape Movement, Dance Expressions de danse, Moose FM 106.3, DIA North Bay, Waggs, the Best Western, TD Bank, Hampton Inn, Lee Kerr Enterprises, the Legion Branch 23, Bruce Lecappelin's Sealtest Products, Rorab Shrine Club North Bay, Broadloom Plus, Saputo and Pearls; and its numerous Friends of Ringette.
Thank you ringette partners
The committee is most thankful to the International Ringette Federation, Ringette Canada, the Ontario Ringette Association and the West Ferris Ringette Association for their roles in the success of the games.
Thank you volunteers
The World Ringette Championships could not have taken place without the help of its 110 volunteers, who committed their time, talent and tireless energy to the event's success.
The committee thanks them for their generous contribution.
Thank you ringette fans
The committee would also like to thank those who supported our event by not only attending both the free exhibition games and ticketed competitions, but by being active participants through their colourful dress and invigorating noise-making, flag-waving and cheers.
An average of 1,400 spectators per day attended the three-day ticketed Championship games, while thousands more attended the free exhibition games that were held over a four-day period.
The highest turnout occurred during the Canada vs Finland gold-medal game, with 1600 in the audience at Memorial Gardens and hundreds more tuning in to Cogeco's live television broadcast on Cable 12.
Ringette Canada reported over 700 people were also watching the game live on their online streaming service.
Thank you North Bay citizens
Thanks to the warmth and friendliness of North Bay citizens and business owners, the -40 degree temperatures we experienced during the Worlds were made tolerable to our visitors.
Many who came to our city for the first time remarked on how welcoming we are as a community and for this the committee is especially grateful.
Thank you City of North Bay staff, Mayor Al and other sports organizations
The committee thanks City of North Bay staff at Memorial Gardens, Pete Palangio and Sam Jacks arenas for being exceptionally courteous, accommodating and helpful.
Hats off also go to Mayor Al McDonald for his constant presence, tweets and sincere love of the game.
The committee also thanks the North Bay Battalion and the Nipissing Lakers for sharing the City's arena spaces with us, all in the name of good sportsmanship.
Thank you media
North Bay's media supported the Worlds at every step of the way; attending, photo-documenting, interviewing, writing, broadcasting, tweeting and re-tweeting.
To date, the committee counts over 100 print, radio, tv and online media reports and countless social media announcements. We thank you for covering us with such zeal.
Thank you Sam and Agnes Jacks
For being with us, in spirit.
FINAL RESULTS
World Ringette Championship Sam Jacks Series
Team Finland won the Sam Jacks Trophy in a best two-out-of-three series against Team Canada, who won silver.
World Ringette Championship Bronze Medal Game
Team USA won bronze medals, defeating Team Sweden in a winner-take-all game.
U19 World Ringette Championship
Team U19 Finland won the International Ringette Federation Trophy, defeating Team U19 Canada in a winner-take-all game.
Presidents' Pool
Team U19 Finland claimed the Presidents' Trophy, winning a six-game round-robin series against Team Sweden, Team USA and Team U19 Canada.
University Challenge Cup
The UCC Tier 1 winner was University of Alberta with silver going to University of Calgary. The UCC Tier 2 winner was University of Guelph with silver going to Nipissing University.
U16 Tournament
Finland Nokia, the top international team, defeated Timmins, the top Canadian team in a recreational U16 tournament, organized just for the fun of playing the fastest game on ice.
U14 Games
Two U14 teams from Finland played exhibition games against the West Ferris Ringette Association's U14 rep team. And, yes, the Finns won this too.
Heritage Game
On the last day of the event, West Ferris Ringette Association players of all ages participated in a heritage game at Memorial Gardens. Each period highlighted the evolution of the game since its creation 50 years ago. There were no winners or prizes awarded, but a great game that was invented here, in our hometown, gained a lot of respect this week and our local players were proud to be a part of all the action.
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The 2013 World Ringette Championship committee members are:
Jeff Francom, Chair
Bruce Jacks, Honorary Chair
Dave Saad, Event Coordinator
Marilyn Ablett, Director at Large
Paul Cook, Sponsorship Director
Karen Cook, Technical Director
Barbara Jacks, Historic Display
Bill Jacko, Travel & Accommodations
Al Lang, Financial Director
Marie Lugli, Communications Director
Monique Lugli, Opening Ceremony
Richard Michauville, Statistics
Tara Michauville, U16 Event
Bill Ramore, Volunteer Services Director
Sue Weiskopf, Ontario Ringette Association Liaison
