The National Ringette Team will have a strong Central Alberta connection when they compete at the World Ringette Championships in Mississauga, Ontario from November 27th to December 3rd. 

Four players from Lacombe, Lindsay Vink, Gillian Dreger, Dailyn Zimmer and Jamie Bell, as well as Red Deer's Breanna Beck will part of the team.

Limited funding means the players must pay most of their own way, which is why they are hosting the  Road to Worlds Run/Walk events across Canada, one of which is right here in Lacombe.

Zimmer, who currently plays for the Edmonton WAM along with her sister Jamie, says they want to use this event not only as a fundraiser, but a way to attract young new players to the sport.

“We’re encouraging lots of young ringette players to come and join. As a grand prize for the team that has the most amount of members registered, the ringette team Canada players from around the area will come and run a practice for them. So it’s really good for us to give back, and for them to experience getting to know us better.”

Jamie Bell talks about how her family were big influences on her and her sister in their early years of ringette.

“My auntie was definitely one (big influence). She has a love for the game as much as we do. And definitely would call it, all being family, it’s part of our identity as a family, and my dad as well. His passion for the game was huge to, so that’s a big motivation for us.”

Dailyn and Jamie's father Ralph passed away from brain cancer last December. He was well known within the community and coached the girls for years as head coach of the Edmonton WAM.

The Road to Worlds Run/Walk event, is next Saturday, October 7th, at the west end soccer pitches at the end of Woodland Drive here in Lacombe.

Registration closes at 11:59pm on Saturday, September 30th. You can click here to register.