Laurie Morton Ruppe tournament reaches new attendance record

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Close to 800 athletes across 56 teams flocked to Strathmore and area over the weekend to take part in the Strathmore Minor Ringette Association’s (SMRA) annual Laurie Morton Ruppe Memorial Tournament.

Local teams ranged from Active Start all the way to U19, featuring SMRA and R.I.S.E. (Rockyford, Indus, Strathmore Extreme Ringette) teams.

The rest came from across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to participate. Athletes as young as four and as old as 18 were in attendance.

“Laurie had a true passion for the game and played on the women’s team for 10 years. She was also very competitive and displayed good sportsmanship both on and off the ice,” said Payton Vogelsang-Bundy, tournament director. “Laurie also coached her daughter, Kim’s team, that went on to win the gold medal and the Golden Ring in Calgary in 2009. In 2010, the SMRA renamed their annual tournament in honour of Laurie.”

Prior to the renaming, Vogelsang-Bundy and associated tourney volunteers estimated the tournament has been an annual event since the 1980’s. 

Approaching 800 athletes coming out to compete was noted to be the best attended event in its history. In order to accommodate all of the games necessary, arenas were utilized in Strathmore, Rockyford, Indus, and Chestermere. 

“It took a lot of volunteers, a lot of hours, a lot of collaboration with this passion, (and) the love for our kids,” said Vogelsang-Bundy. “The draw here is tournaments are fun, especially an away tournament. You get to go away with your team, stay in a hotel, have team get-togethers, (and) team bonding.”

Among the tournament activities over the course of the weekend were two games dedicated to players unable to be on the ice. 

Taya Arnold, 17, passed away Jan. 1 from what doctors believe to be the result of a heart arrythmia. Before her death, she played with the SMRA, displaying a passion for the sport.

Livy Krall, 9, was rushed to hospital in December, ultimately receiving a diagnosis of acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood. The rare neurological condition is characterized by lesions in the brain which typically arise after a viral infection. 

She was able to attend the dedication game, Jan. 31, walking onto the ice at the conclusion of the game.

Being a not-for-profit organization, fees related to tournament attendance, as well as from raffles were aimed at recovering costs and being put back into the organization.

Last year, the tournament hosted under 600 players. Moving forward, the SMRA team anticipates soon to be over 1,000 players attending in the next few years as both the event, as well as the sport as a whole continue to grow.