University of Alberta Coaches Bob Bailey, Bonnie Peters, John Romyn, and Paul Hotke founded the University of Alberta ringette program in 2003, and continued as the program’s coaches until the 2019/2020 season. Over 17 years, their guidance and leadership helped their team, and the national ringette community as a whole achieve extraordinary success.
Committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes, they established a scholarship program that awarded over half a million dollars over 16 seasons to support players, and created a highly impactful “Ringette Scores on Cancer” tournament that raised nearly a million dollars in 11 years. In an effort to impact the community, the group launched a summer ringette camp that had more than 4,000 young participants take part, developed a school visitation program where they introduced thousands of children annually to ringette through gym ringette, and provided free ringette clinics and community outreach programs.
Their impact extended beyond their own school, as the group was instrumental in founding what was then called the Canadian University & College Ringette Association, developing the governance structure, bylaws, and establishing policies to ensure the growth and sustainability of university ringette across Canada. Under their leadership, the number of ringette teams grew from five in 2003 to nearly 20 in 2025.
Off the ice, team alumni remember their coaches for their leadership, commitment to developing well-rounded individuals, mentorship, and their tireless promotion of the sport of ringette.
“Bonnie, Bob, John, and Paul represent the heart and soul of ringette. Their collective efforts as coaches, builders, and mentors have elevated the sport and created a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of athletes, coaches, and fans.” – Nicole Stadnyk