Congratulations 2023 Scholarship Recipients!
We are pleased to announce the 2022/2023 SCRA Scholarship recipients:
Solveig Thompson
Ava Shenher
Amelia Gutfriend
The SCRA Scholarship was established as part of our Association’s belief that our athletes are the key to continuing the sport of ringette into the future. The SCRA Scholarship aims to encourage our athletes to support the sport of ringette through playing, coaching, officiating, and volunteering and to continue playing ringette while attending a post-secondary education program in Canada.
Our association is incredibly proud of our many inspiring young athletes, past and present, that give back to SCRA, the sport of ringette and our greater community. The Scholarship Committee was very impressed with all the candidates’ applications and their outstanding contributions to ringette and it is our pleasure to be able to recognize three athletes this year.
 | 1st Place $1,000 Award Recipient: Solveig Thompson Solveig is attending the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Calgary pursuing her Master of Science studying Astrophysics, is playing ringette with the Fire in the Calgary Open Ringette Association (CORA) and is an assistant coach for the U14A SCRA team. Her passion and dedication to the sport is apparent. She was a player with SCRA for nine years beginning in 2008 and began training as a junior coach in 2015. After three years as a junior coach, she became an assistant coach with SCRA in 2018 and has continued to coach every year since then, including one year as a co-coach. Solveig credits her ringette experience growing up with maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She notes that “ringette has shaped many aspects of my life, from friendships to leadership and instilling positive habits that will remain with me for the rest of my life”. SCRA has been very fortunate to have Solveig dedicate her time to coaching. She noted that coaching has provided her with experience speaking in front of groups, increased confidence when providing directions to her team players and encouraging young players who may be curious about the sport to give it a try. Additionally, her most recent head coach and reference for the award noted that, “Solveig’s dedication and support has been recognized by not only the coaching staff but also by the families. She has demonstrated leadership, strong communication skills and compassion which has made a positive impact on everyone involved.” We really appreciate Solveig’s passion for ringette and wish her the best in her studies! |
 | 2nd Place $500 Award Recipient: Ava Shenher Ava is enrolled in the Bachelor of Education - Elementary program at Mount Royal University in Calgary for the fall of 2023, is committed to playing with SCRA for her final year of eligibility at a U19 player and led the SCRA U14 and U16 conditioning camps prior to the 2022/2023 ringette season. Ava is truly dedicated to giving back to the sport of ringette. Including this year, Ava has played ringette with SCRA for twelve years, has been a junior coach for two years, and has volunteered at SCRA Come Try Ringette and SCRA Evaluations. Additionally, she was recently given the opportunity to act in a higher capacity as an assistant coach apprentice. She notes that “ringette has contributed to her personal growth and development. The fun, friendly aspect of this sport, the determination and perseverance endured to get through tough times and the confidence to offer her skills to the younger players are all attributed to her experience in ringette.” The desire to give back to SCRA and the sport was also recognized by her coaching staff. Her head coach and reference notes that “Ava is highly regarded as a dedicated junior coach. She not only brings fun and passion to the young players, but she has helped guide and mentor them in their ringette skills. She is committed to ringette as a player, coach and volunteer and is highly deserving of this honour.” Thank you, Ava, for your dedication to the sport and for inspiring our young athletes! |
 | 3rd Place $250 Award Recipient: Amelia Gutfriend Amelia is attending the Mount Royal University in Calgary pursuing her Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and playing ringette with the Women’s Ringette Association of Calgary (“WRAC”). Amelia’s career as a player has spanned many years. She began playing in the Bunnies division of SCRA and continued for fourteen years including all three years as a U19 player. She achieved her level 1 officiating with SCRA and volunteered as a junior coach for one year in the same year she assisted with evaluations. She notes that “ringette is a truly outstanding sport that makes me feel at home, feel safe, and feel the most myself within. I know that ringette will always be a part of my life, and something I can turn back to when I need support. This sport has been the backbone of my routine, and although my competitive days have come to an end, I am grateful for the days I get to hit the ice with a new community of players.” One of her former coaches and reference for the award also remarks that “her teammates see how she responds to challenges on the ice, and they respond in a similar fashion. Amelia’s character and attitude made us a better team.” Congratulations on the award Amelia and all the best in WRAC inspiring your teammates! |
