Laura Warner

I was introduced to ringette at age 7. One of my dad’s colleagues had a daughter who played.

My dad knew that I loved sports so when he heard about ringette he asked me if I wanted to play. Never one to turn down the chance to learn a new sport, I gave it a try and fell in love right away. From day one, I’ve absolutely adored the speed and finesse of the game.

Through my teen years, I continued to compete in soccer, basketball, and volleyball at school and at the club levels but nothing could ever take the place of ringette as the sporting “love of my life”. I knew it was true love when I made the varsity hockey team (thinking I could juggle my various commitments) and, much to my surprise, the coach asked me to pick between hockey and ringette. I didn’t hesitate for a second.

Over the years, I won 9 national championships (one in Finland), 2 world championships, served as the captain of the Canadian ringette team, and was inducted into the Canadian ringette hall of fame.

Playing in Finland for two seasons was a real thrill. I traveled to a remote town called Lapinlahti and, apart from teaching a few English lessons, my only job was to train and play ringette. I met the most incredible people and immersed myself in the sport in a way that I couldn’t do at home. What a thrill. Our team won the national championship in 2002, the first time our town had done that.

I’ll also always remember my two world championship victories. In 1996, I was one of the babies on the team. The finals were in Sweden and I remember being in awe of the whole experience. I played my role well enough but mostly came away from that tournament with so much respect for the veterans on the team. We’d been down 5-3 to Finland with less than 7 minutes left in the final game and I remember thinking “I’m so disappointed we’re going to lose”. Then Lisa Brown did her thing, put the team on her shoulders, and we won 6-5 in overtime. Lisa and some of the other vets had absolute ice in their veins in those final minutes and I learned what it takes to lead a team to victory at the highest levels.

In 2002, I had a chance to do that same thing, this time as the captain of the team. We won the championships in my hometown of Edmonton, live on CBC.

Needless to say, I’m a huge advocate for the opportunities that ringette affords. I could write for pages about the places I’ve traveled, the people I’ve met, and the things I’ve learned through this awesome sport. My best friends always have been and always will be ringette players. We have a shared bond that nothing can touch. I’ve learned what it means to work as part of a group, how to mix different and competitive personalities together to synergize, and how to bring my best when the stakes are sky high. These are lessons that I apply every day in my legal practice here in Calgary.

Fellow ringette enthusiasts are all friends, even if we’ve never met. Please let me, Lisa, and Abbey know if we can help your team in some way. Also, if you have a legal question, feel free to give me a call and I’ll see if I can help or point you in the right direction.

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown is considered one of the best players in ringette history. Her playing achievements include the following:

• Team Canada Centre for a decade, 1990-2000
• Captain, Team Canada 1996-2000
• World Champion 1990, 1992, 1996
• National Champion 1982, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001
• MVP in the 1996 World Championship final game
• Nine-time National All-Star
• AA Provincial Champion 15 times in Ontario in Alberta
• Scored the winning goal in the final minute of regulation play in 1990 and 1992 World Championships.
• 30 years AA and AAA playing experience
• First player to be given an award for international achievement in ringette from the Finnish Ringette Association
• Lisa and her sister Cara were the first ringette athletes named to the Who’s Who of Canadian Sport

Lisa provided the color commentary for the 2002 World Championships on CBC television with co-host Steve Armitage. The telecast was the most successful media event in ringette history, drawing over 144,000 viewers in one day.

Lisa works with Laura Warner to produce the Master Mind Membership for Coaches, Instructional DVDs, and Free Ringette Tips.

Lisa Brown is a professional speaker, author, and coach who helps elite athletes and business people win using mental toughness. She has worked with Olympic and national team athletes in tennis, hockey, softball, speed skating, badminton, golf, and curling to gain the mental edge.

Lisa’s book, The Courage to Win: A Revolutionary Mental Toughness Formula, teaches you how to create breakthrough confidence and self-mastery. Find out more about Lisa’s mental toughness training.

For 13 years Lisa was the driving force behind the Ringette Retreat ringette schools. Known as the Star-Maker, Lisa helped over 14,000 ringette athletes perfect their game at summer ringette camp.

Lisa is an avid ringette volunteer. She served on the Board of Directors of Ringette Calgary, Ringette Canada, and the International Ringette Federation. Lisa also coached in the National Ringette League, leading the Edmonton WAM! to a National Championship in 2007.

Lisa would love to answer any questions you have about becoming a ringette star or coaching ringette. Contact us here