Ringette Nova Scotia
Atlantic University Challenge Cup 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Little more than 25 years ago, ringette in Canadian Universities was not a consideration, But small ringette programs started in Manitoba at Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba and St. Boniface College in the late 1990s. Soon after, the game had spread to a few other post secondary institutions and by the early 2000s ringette programs had started in Nova Scotia at Saint Francis Xavier and Acadia Universities followed by Dalhousie and Saint Mary's Universities several years later. Universities in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, such as University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison and University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College added ringette clubs and teams to their available clubs and sports offerings. There are now close to 35 university teams throughout Canada - 7 of which are in the Maritimes, with a couple more knocking on the door for next season. Some of these programs are highly competitive while others are more recreational.
Little more than 25 years ago, ringette in Canadian Universities was not a consideration, But small ringette programs started in Manitoba at Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba and St. Boniface College in the late 1990s. Soon after, the game had spread to a few other post secondary institutions and by the early 2000s ringette programs had started in Nova Scotia at Saint Francis Xavier and Acadia Universities followed by Dalhousie and Saint Mary's Universities several years later. Universities in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, such as University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison and University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College added ringette clubs and teams to their available clubs and sports offerings. There are now close to 35 university teams throughout Canada - 7 of which are in the Maritimes, with a couple more knocking on the door for next season. Some of these programs are highly competitive while others are more recreational.
University ringette provides a wonderful option which allows many players involved in the sport who would otherwise likely hang up their skates during their post secondary education. It provides a great opportunity for university students to continue playing the game they love at a competitive and recreational level. Joining a university ringette club gives an instant community of friends and peers for young students, many whom are away from home for the first time. It provides these young adults a vibrant part of university life while embarking on the most important educational journey of their lives.
The growth of university ringette has been such that national and regional championships have developed and grown. The national University Challenge Cup for ringette began over 20 years ago with less than a handful of university teams competing. It has grown to where 16 teams competed this past season, others wanting entry. University teams competing in Guelph, ON, hosted by the University of Guelph, came from Dalhousie in the east to University of Victoria in the west.
Regionally, we began the Nova Scotia University Challenge Cup, about 10 years ago. It began as the NSUCC with 4 teams from Acadia, Dalhousie, Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Mary's Universities all icing teams. Holland College, from PEI, joined and competed one year. Teams from outside Nova Scotia joined our NSUCC championships over the past 3 years including University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University and University of Prince Edward Island who re-established their club and team. The NSUCCs has been changed to reflect these additions and is now know as the Atlantic University Challenge Cup (ATLUCC) - a tournament for the Atlantic Region Ringette Championship. It is the only true regional University Championship in Canada.
This years' ATLUCC is being held at the new Dalhousie University Arena - the Oulton-Stanish Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from April 2 - April 5, 2026. The 7 university teams competing for this years' championship are the Acadia Axewomen, Dalhousie Tigers, Mount Allison Mounties, Saint Francis Xavier X-Women, Saint Mary's Huskies, University of New Brunswick Raiders and University of Prince Edward Island Panthers.
We are appreciative of all the players who will show their best ringette skills at our championships. Also, the players, coaches and management of all the teams greatly appreciate the many parents and friends from across Canada, who attend and watch the players compete at this event. Certainly, not to be forgotten, are the officials, on and off the ice, who provide their skills and knowledge of our game to us. And last, but not least, thank you, very much, to the volunteers who helped in putting on the ATLUCC for all to enjoy.
View photos from previous ATLUCC's
We hope to see you soon!
