Ringette's popularity growing

The National Ringette League made its P.E.I. debut this weekend, bringing players from across Eastern Canada including one Islander to Charlottetown.

Kendra O'Brien, the lone Islander on the Moncton-based Atlantic Attack, says it was great to finally play an NRLgame at home.

O'Brien says the sport, aimed at females, is growing fast on P.E.I. and she hopes the tournament will encourage more Island girls to start playing.

"Especially here in P.E.I., it's really taken off. There's a lot more teams, a lot more girls, everyone's getting really into it," said O'Brien, who began playing in Souris when she was eight years old.

"It's awesome. It's the best sport, the fastest sport out there. There's lots of opportunities for the girls now, so they see what the potential is out there and they want to play and make it to the NRL themselves."

Fan attention

O'Brien has played locally, provincially and was an affiliate on Team Canada. She now lives in Fredericton where she works as a speech language pathologist.

She says she was "overwhelmed" by the attention she received from the young fans at this weekend's tournament.

"There was lots of support. The little kids are so excited. So it's nice to be here and show them what we can do," said O'Brien.

Young P.E.I. player Celeste Maynard was able to meet some of her favourite players.

"Hockey is such a big thing, I think ringette should be even bigger," said Maynard.

"I like it because it's a mostly girls' sport and I think girls need a chance to do stuff in the winter on ice. It's an amazing sport and every girl should try it."