From Feb. 13-16, the Alberta Winter Games will be running in Lakeland Region, and this year local athlete Claire Greenwood will be out representing Fort Saskatchewan in Ringette. “She was very excited, and her dad and I were very proud of her,” said Kristin Greenwood.
“It takes a lot of hard work and determination to be where she is, and we are thrill that she is getting the opportunity to do something like the Games. There were over 60 athletes that tried out from Zone 5, and only 15 were chosen to enter the draft phase. She was also very excited that 7 of her teammates also made the team, as well as some friends that she has in other areas of the province.” Clair attended the Alberta Winter Games camp in early January where she met her team and coaches.
The team has since then connected for league games and tournaments, leading into the AB games in February. Greenwood has been playing Ringette for 9 years, starting first playing for the Fort Saskatchewan Ringette Association and then for the Sherwood Park Ringette Association. Clair’s mom says that she first started with a “come try Ringette’ day when she was in Grade 2 and loved it.
“She’s had the opportunity to play in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia with her various teams over the years, as well as with different camps and clinics during the season and in the offseason,” said Kristin Greenwood. “She’s won lots of medals at tournaments, and was also a part of a team that had their banner raised in the Sportsplex in 2023.” Now playing U16A for Park Ringette, Clair also Junior Coaches in Fort Saskatchewan for the U10 Step 3 team, as well as refs in both Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan. This season, she has also gotten to work with and mentor new an upcoming Goaltenders from across the league, as they are just getting into the sport and is helping foster their love of Ringette.
The Alberta Winter Games are the province’s premier spot to celebrate young athletes and provide them with a venue to compete and reach their athletic potential. For a full schedule of the Winter Games and a list of competing sports, visit albertawintergames.ca. jbonnell@postmedia.com
