More Than a Game: How Ringette Coach Courtney Proudfoot Builds Confidence, Community and Leaders

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – January 2026

“As a coach of young women, the priority is about helping people become better, so it guides them throughout life.”

By David Grossman

If there is always an opportunity to assist a young girl, especially as it relates to the sport of ringette, count on Courtney Proudfoot to be there.

Proudfoot, now a 41-year-old mother of two, spends her days as president of her own company and consults in employee benefits. Somehow, she finds time to also continue her athletic world by playing, as a member of a tournament team, in a sport that requires ice hockey skates, a ringette stick, full protective equipment and a rubber pneumatic ring.

The sport is ringette. Played on ice, participants use hockey skates and a ringette stick. It was created back in 1963 by two enthusiastic Canadians from Northern Ontario – Red McCarthy from Espanola and Sam Jacks, who lived in the former township of West Ferris, now amalgamated with North Bay.

There was a time when ringette was once played exclusively by female competitors. These days, it’s also popular with boys. Estimates show more than 60,000 Canadians are involved – from players to coaches and officials.

As for Proudfoot, she took an interest in the sport as an eight-year-old. She had no interest in figure skating. When the opportunity came to learn to skate, and try ringette, at Moses Springer Community Centre in Waterloo, she had no knowledge of ringette – but decide to try it.

There was no turning back.

She spent 33 years as a player, which also include 27 years as a coach – something she also took a liking to at age 14. While devoting time to assisting with various age groups, she’s currently focussed on the development, training and knowledge of 12 and 13-year-old girls in the Waterloo Ringette Association.

“I remember wanting to play hockey, but there was no girls hockey in the area and when my parents had heard about ringette, they got me involved,” said Proudfoot, a former Athlete of the Year back in her high school days at Bluevale Collegiate Institute. “I had my first coaching experience, as a junior ringette coach, while I was in high school.”

Proudfoot, whose maiden surname was Ludwig at Bluevale and a two-time Ontario high school cross country medal winner, hit a roadblock when it came to finding ringette as a sport while a student at Wilfrid Laurier University. No luck. That is until she joined the Waterloo Ringette Association and was part of the Waterloo Open A team that won an Ontario Provincial championship in 2007.

Now, with university degrees (with academic honours) from Laurier and Ryerson, she has taken her experience and knowledge to the next level. It’s about ways to build confidence in youngsters, emphasize life skills and determination as well as engaging girls to get motivated and have fun playing ringette.

“It’s so important to help the next generation of girls,” said Proudfoot. “I care deeply about them, staying active and learning through sport. “I often look back at my positive experiences. I know girls’ sports can be tough, things happen, but the emphasis is always on finding a better way to treat each other on, and off, the ice.”

Proudfoot has her way of improving performance and achieving specific goals. There is also the time to deal with many thought-provoking questions – especially the ones related to the sport, and related items, that never seem to end.

“I hope that people see me for more than just being a ringette coach,” said Proudfoot. “It’s more than just standing there and watching kids play a game. As coaches, we have expectations. For players, no practice means no playing time. If you make the team, there has to be 100 per cent commitment. I’ve been grateful and very fortunate to not have an issue with a player.”

Proudfoot does recall circumstances that helped her become a strong and respected coach – one admired by her teammates, colleagues and parents.

“What shaped me to become a great coach was recalling the difficulties, as a young player, and how (some) coaches dealt with players,” she said. “At that age, it’s so easy to drop out of the sport, fade away. I wanted to be a better player – and I worked tirelessly to listen, learn, contribute and stay confident.”

Pick one – mentor, motivator or role model. All three fit when pointing to Proudfoot and what she has done to build strong leaders, motivate teamwork and empower young women.

The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), in partnership with Hydro One, shines the spotlight on dedicated and brilliant individuals from across the province. Proudfoot is one of them. Stories salute their dedication, achievements and exemplary work as coaches – along with the integral role they play with their athletes, sport, and community.

“Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench” is the theme of a series highlighting individuals for their time, talent and support in improving performance and increasing confidence of athletes.

Proudfoot was one of 15 winners of the 2025 Ontario Coaches Excellence Awards. Some 150 coaches were nominated. Proudfoot received a cheque in the amount of $500 to purchase new sporting equipment from local Ontario or Canada businesses.

When pressed on which one of learning, development or confidence-building contributes to making a person a successful coach, Proudfoot was quick with her answer.

“All of them and much more,” she said. “As a coach of young women, the priority should never just be on winning a championship or medal. It’s about helping people become better, so it guides them throughout life.”

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

“It’s so important to help the next generation of girls. I care deeply about them, staying active and learning through sport.”