Local NRL player debuts at worlds, coaches youth

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

After making her debut last year playing on the Junior National Ringette team and playing in and winning at worlds, one local athlete is using her experience to not only forward her ambitions in ringette, but also to coach younger players.
Nineteen-year-old Ann Sauve grew up in Strathmore and has played forward in ringette for the past 15 years. She was scouted by the worlds team at both the 2019 Canada Winter Games and the 2019 Canadian Ringette Championships. She was then asked to attend main camp held in Ottawa in May 2019 where she tried out and was successfully selected to play on the team.
“I love the competition, the speed and the camaraderie,” said Sauve. “It is an environment that supports females and builds confidence at any age. Not only do I love playing, but it has also given me great skills to set me up for success in my life.”
Sauve also plays in the National Ringette League (NRL) for the Calgary Rath as a first-year player.
During the worlds competition in Burnaby, B.C. in November 2019, Sauve and her Team Canada teammates played one exhibition game and beat powerhouse Finland in two best-of-three games.
“Wearing a jersey that represented my country, while also having my family in the stands meant so much; putting in the hard work and knowing that all of their support is the reason I got to this moment is something I will never forget,” said Sauve, who is ageing out of the junior league this year. She added she will never forget the opportunity she had to “play at the highest level of a sport I love, and it resulting in a gold medal is very rewarding and unforgettable.”
The University of Calgary student is currently training and preparing for nationals with her NRL team. Nationals will be held in Ottawa from April 5 to 11.
“One of the main reasons I love ringette so much is the support and resources I received from my coaches. I have decided to give back to this incredible community and am coaching a U16AA ringette team,” said Sauve, who has helped coach the U16AA Calgary Tenacity, a team that is also competing for a spot at nationals in April.
Sauve hopes to continue teaching younger players the game while also competing herself. She attributes her success in the sport to “a combination of hard work, wanting to be a good teammate, and loving the sport as much as I do.”