BELWOOD – Local athlete Emma Mason will be playing for Team Canada in the World Ringette Championships next week.
The 17-year-old has been playing ringette for nearly 14 years, many of those spent with the Elora Fergus Ringette Association.
Several family members, including her mother, sisters and cousins, have also been involved in the sport.
“I never thought when I started at the age of three that I would have made it this far, but you always get to surprise yourself,” Mason said.
The World Championships take place Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 in Calgary, Alberta.
Mason planned to travel to Calgary on Oct. 26 to begin practices with her team within the International Development Program before playing against Finland.
She received an email invitation to try out for the team this summer.
From there, she travelled to Calgary for a week and tried out. Team officials began making cuts and Mason made the team.
“I’m just so excited for what’s to come,” Mason said.
She added she is excited to learn from Finland and how they play ringette, saying they play a different style from Canadians.
The ringette player will be on a team of 17.
She will play for the Team Canada East team, and there will be a team for the West as well.
“Making that new family with my new Team Canada team, and playing with people from all over Canada, it’s super cool to have those connections from coast to coast and forming those friendships,” she said.
“Just go for what you love.”
For more information on the World Championships, visit worldringettechampionship.com.
To follow the Elora Fergus Ringette Association, follow its Facebook page at facebook.com/elorafergusringette.
