As the season draws to a close, the Red River Rage are looking back at an exciting season, which was full of ups and downs, highs and lows.
For one group, the season has already drawn to a close. The R4U program includes the youngest players of all, between the ages of four and eight, and they have now hung up their skates for the winter.
This year, 14 girls took the ice in R4U every Thursday, learning about passing and teamwork from their Ringette Manitoba instructors. Four of the girls will be moving up to the U10 level next year.
There are two teams at the U10 level—the A and B squads. The A team was a strong group of girl who found themselves getting bumped up to the A2 level halfway through the season, where they faced some stiff competition.
Coaches Matt Exner and Scott Wallace say the U10B team made great strides over the course of the season.
“At their first game, they were still learning basic rules and figuring out how to do line changes,” say the coaches. “Now, at the end of the season, the girls have played strong and have been consistent against the other teams in their division with several close games. They haven’t won many, but that hasn’t stopped them from going out there every game with smiles and determination. With these girls, every goal has been celebrated and every teammate has been cheered on. They epitomize what it means to be a team—and together they are only going to get better.”
Another team that levelled up halfway through the season were the U12A girls.
“They faced huge competition,” says Heather Wallace. “It was a steep learning curve, but it helped our team learn how to work hard. Needless to say, we didn’t make it far in the playoffs, but we had a great season.”
The U14 team combined with players from Steinbach this season, and the team gelled well together. Their season hasn’t quite ended yet, and they’re still in the midst of playoff action.
The U16 also combined with players from a neighbouring region—in this case, Lorette. This team is also still on the ice, and they have their sights set on the top prize.
“We have had another fantastic year,” says Wallace. “How could you not with Coach Mel and Coach Bill as your coaches? At the moment we are battling it out in the WRL playoffs and hoping to win gold! After that, we will be on our way to Provincials, planning to make it all the way to the end.”
The Rage program would like to extend a great big thanks to all of their coaches and managers for pulling off another successful season.
