Program Overview
The U16 Surge Travel Team is a competitive, development-focused program giving athletes the chance to experience higher-level ringette through exhibition games, destination tournaments, and competition beyond the local league. It’s built for athletes who may not currently play at the A or AA level but bring passion, commitment, and a desire to keep developing. Our goal: Engage, Excite, and Develop — helping players build confidence, compete at a higher level, and grow as leaders.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Kelly Tomkinson — multiple years of High Performance coaching experience, 12 years coaching ringette across levels, and runs an annual Summer Ringette Development Camp
- Assistant/Defensive Coach: Maddison Tomkinson — High Performance Player
- Assistant/Offensive Coach: Kealy Tomkinson — High Performance Player
- Additional coaching support may be added as needed
Player Eligibility & Team Structure
- Core group: 2011 and 2012 birth years
- Development prospects: 2013 birth year, with roughly 2–3 athletes selected from this age group
This structure builds a strong, balanced team while giving younger athletes a development pathway into future Surge teams.
Tryouts & Selection
1–2 on-ice evaluation sessions (dates TBD). Coaches assess skating and ringette fundamentals, ringette IQ and decision-making, offensive/defensive ability, competitiveness, coachability, commitment and attitude, teamwork, and communication.
Ice, Training & Team Development
- One on-ice practice per week
- Dryland and conditioning
- Team-building activities
- Additional skill-development opportunities
- Exhibition games against higher-level opponents
- High-performance-calibre tournament competition
- Leadership, communication, and teamwork development
Tentative Travel Schedule
| Date | Tournament | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 9–12 | Turkey Ring (U16B) | St. Albert, AB |
| Nov 5–9 | Ring of Fire (U16B) | Airdrie, AB |
| Jan 8–11 | Jim Benning Tournament (TBD) | Regina, SK |
| March | Meet in the Middle (U16A) | Saskatchewan/Alberta/Manitoba |
| June 4–6 | Capital Ringette Classic (U16A) | Ottawa, ON |
The team will enter the U16A division at each applicable tournament. Tournaments are tentative and subject to confirmation; schedule may adjust around Regina Ringette Association league play. The team is also exploring the possibility of an Atlantic Canada tournament and travel experience as an alternative to the Ottawa trip.
Exhibition Games
The Surge will seek competitive exhibition matchups to challenge and support development — potential opponents include U16 A Attack, U14 AA Rush, U14 Aces, and other approved U14/U16 travel teams.
Program Expectations
Athletes are expected to attend scheduled practices and share availability early, attend exhibition games and tournaments, arrive prepared and ready to participate, maintain a positive and respectful attitude, support teammates, be coachable and willing to learn, and represent the Surge and Regina Ringette Association positively. Our expectation is that every athlete contributes to the team both on and off the ice.
Program Budget
Estimated cost is $1,500–$2,000 per athlete, depending on final tournament selections, travel arrangements, fundraising, and other program expenses. Fundraising opportunities will be explored throughout the season to help reduce individual cost.
Our Vision
The Surge Travel Team is about more than attending tournaments — it’s about creating an opportunity for athletes to compete, develop, build confidence, and fall in love with the game even more. We want players to leave this program as better ringette players, better teammates, and more confident young athletes.
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