There is a good chance the ringette tournament in Steinbach this weekend will be one for the memory books.

What sets this tournament apart from previous events is that it follows a year of not having a tournament due to COVID-19 restrictions. This one was allowed to happen with the recent easing of restrictions. This meant there was limited time to plan it.

Sporting tournament merchandise, everyone pitches in to make the tournament a success. Whether it's modeling clothing, selling 50/50 tickets or supporting the players, there's a lot that that happens during a successful tournament. (Photo submitted)

Sara Richards with Steinbach Ringette says they had to act fast if they wanted to fit this event into this season's schedule with spring getting closer.

"We are super excited to host it,” she says with a lot of enthusiasm.

The tournament started on Thursday and wraps up today with the final game scheduled for 12:45 pm.

Richards says it is such an important thing to be able to host a tournament right now, after the hiatus last year and this season drawing to a close.

"There’s that sense of community with ringette. And when I say community, it’s not just Steinbach, it’s the ringette community,” says Richards. “And to be able to be all together again and share the love of the sport together. And for parents to see their children play. For the kids to be able to play; play with their friends, play against other communities. There is just a burst of joy inside. That is going to just be such an amazing, memorable event.”

The tournament includes 17 teams from five leagues with U10 to U19 players coming from various communities including Beausejour, Springfield, Lorette, Red River Valley and Steinbach.