Two Terrace ringette athletes have come home with silver medals after competing with a regional team earlier this month.

Rohan Cooper and Reece Hansen helped their U12 development team Northern Lights Blue claim second place at the Pacific Ring AA Ringette Tournament in Richmond, B.C. from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.

“Most of our kids’ tournaments play is against the other Northern League associations, so playing [on this regional team] gives everyone a chance to know each other on and off the ice as friends rather than opponents,” writes Rohan’s mother, Giebette Cooper, in an email to the Terrace Standard.

“Traveling outside of the north is a great experience for our players, as is playing with the kids they normally compete against.”

Rohan and Reece were chosen for the U12 team as they were the only 12-year-olds that played ringette in Terrace and joined the team that also included players from Houston, Prince George and Quesnel. The Northern League had enough U12 players to send two teams to the Pacific Ring Tournament this year.

READ MORE: Regional ringette team off to the BC Winter Games

As distance was a big obstacle for the team when it came to practices, players continued to train with their home organizations. Whenever Northern League association tournaments took place, there were also specific u12 development practices following the games.

Giebette writes that the coaches and other kids were really great at making the two feel included and that the challenge of playing at a higher level was also a great opportunity to push their skill development on the ice. The two girls will then attend a ringette camp this summer to continue working on their abilities.

This month, the Terrace Ringette Association also had its players take part in a community league tournament in Houston — which will be the last game for the season.

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Terrace Standard