Outreach by the NRL and player development are both essential to grow the sport of ringette.
The Winnipeg Prairie Fire work very hard spreading the word about the NRL. The players have developed a symbiotic relationship with young players in Manitoba.
Everyone in the NRL West knows that playing in the league is a costly undertaking. Despite two on-ice and two off-ice practice sessions a week, the Prairie Fire also spend time instructing younger players through Hire the Fire. The Fire players rent themselves out to younger teams where they provide an hour of on-ice instruction. Almost all team members are qualified instructors for the Manitoba Ringette Association. The young players receive instruction in areas identified by their coach from a group of experienced instructors. Many members of the Fire also instruct at the Ringette Retreat.
Although the Fire players are hired, they provide skilled instruction for a nominal cost. An added benefit is many young players meet, get to know and identify with players in the league.
The players on Prairie Fire are willing to travel during the week up to an hour outside of Winnipeg to instruct the younger set.
If you need skilled instructors, contact Prairie Fire to become a beneficiary of Hire the Fire.
