WINTER/ SPRING 2016
 June 7th - 1st Outdoor Fee and Registration Submission DueContact Nicole Knecht for further assistance. 
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Planning Ahead for 2016
May 14, 2016  - SouthEast Soccer Jam - Carlyle, SK
May 23, 2016 -  SSA Offices Closed for Victoria Day
May 25, 2016 - Entry Deadline for Soccer for Life 11-aside and 8-aside Outdoor Youth Provincial Championships
May 28, 2016 - Start of the 2016 PSL Season
June 15, 2016Entry Deadline for Saskatchewan Open Cup
July 1 - 3, 2016 - 2016 S4L 11-Aside and 8-Aside Outdoor Youth Provincial Championships - Lloydminster, SK
July 1, 2016 - SSA Offices Closed for Canada Day
July 15, 2016 - Entry Deadline for Soccer for Life Senior and Masters/Classics Provincial Championships
July 15, 2016 - Under 14 Girls and Under 18 Boys 2 Leg PSL Finals
July 17, 2016 - Under 14 Girls and Under 18 Boys 2 Leg PSL Finals
July 24 - 30, 2016 - 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games - Estevan, SK
July 31, 2016 - Under 16 Girls and Under 16 Boys PSL Finals
July 31, 2016 - Roster/Transfer Deadline for Saskatchewan Open Cup
August 1, 2016 - SSA Offices Closed for Civic Holiday
August 5, 2016 - Under 14 Boys PSL Semi-Finals
August 7, 2016 - Under 14 Boys PSL Final
August 5 -7, 2016 - 2016 Soccer for Life Outdoor Senior and Masters/Classics Provincial Championships - Lloydminster, SK
August 12 - 14, 2016 - 2016 Saskatchewan Open Cup
September 5, 2016 - SSA Offices Closed for Labour Day
September 30, 2016 - MAP Follow-Up Report Due to the SSA Office
October 5 - 10, 2016 - Canada Soccer National Club Championships
SSA GRANTS AVAILABLE TO MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Coaching Development

The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) provides funding to registered Saskatchewan coaches looking to improve their coaching proficiency through professional development opportunities.
Priority will be given to coaches wishing to obtain a Canadian National Certification (i.e. Canadian Soccer Association Pre-B Course, Provincial B-License, National B-License or National A-License or National Coach Certification Program Part A, Part B or Competition Development); however, applications for other professional development opportunities may be considered on a case-by-case basis should funding remain in any given year.  Funding can be used to help offset the cost of the following:
  • Course/Clinic Fees or Registration
  • Travel, Meals and Accommodation while attending to Course/Clinic
For all inquiries about the Professional Development Grant please contact the SSA Office at 306-780-9225.

Due October 31, 2016.

Female Development 
 
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) offers funding for female participants in Saskatchewan in the following areas:
  • Community Coaching Courses and Clinics 
  • Referee Courses and Clinics
  • Coaching and Referee Developmental opportunities
For all other inquiries about female development please contact the SSA Head Office at 306-780-9225.

Due October 31, 2016.
 
Referee Development Grant 

The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) offers funding for Referee Development in Saskatchewan in the following areas:
  • Referee Development Courses and Clinics
For all other inquiries about Referee development please contact  the SSA Head Office at 306-780-9225.

Due October 31, 2016
Social Media
Sponsors
Thank you to our sponsors for all their support!

HECTOR VERGARA RETURNS TO SK TO TRAIN WITH SERP
In April, Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee, Hector Vergara returned to Saskatoon to work the participants of the SSA's Saskatchewan Elite Referee Program as they spent a weekend collaborating and training both on and off the field. 
Over the last few months, players and coaches from around the province have been recognized in the news...

  • During the course of four weeks, the WCP Cup in Regina was host to teams from all over. Catching the eye of CTV, two players were recognized as CTV Regina Athletes of the week : (Click here to see their stories and videos)
  • Yorkton Coach, and SSA President's Award Winner, Alfredo Bermudez hit the pages of the local Yorkton newspaper.
  • Saskatoon Adult Soccer player, Amber Jensen was named CTV Saskatoon Athlete of the Week.
CSA Recognizes Contributors to the Growth of the Game - 
The S K Connection
 
The awards were celebrated as part of the annual banquet at Canada Soccer's 2016 Annual Meeting of the Members in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 

Canada Soccer paid tribute to some key individuals who have helped the game grow both at home and abroad. Some of this year's winners were members from Saskatchewan,  including Percy Hoff and Kevin Holness for the Canada Soccer President's Award as well as Leslie Blyth, Percy Hoff, Jeannette Kuc, and Huw Morris for the Canada Soccer Award of Merit.
Former Canada Soccer President Andy Sharpe of Saskatoon, meanwhile, was celebrated for winning the 2015 Aubrey Sanford Meritorious Service Award. Mr. Sharpe was unable to attend last year's awards banquet in Ottawa. 

For a full write up on the winners, click here


The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) is very pleased to announce that information on the 2016 Outdoor Provincial Championships is now posted and available on the SSA website .
 
 The 2016 Soccer for Life Outdoor Provincial Championships will take place as follows: 
  • July 1-3 in Lloydminster - Soccer for Life 11-aside and 8-aside Outdoor Youth Provincial Championships
  • August 5-7 in Lloydminster - Soccer for Life Senior and Masters/Classics Provincial Championships
Entry Forms  and  Rulebooks  for these competitions are available on the website with the following deadlines: 
  • Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - Entry Deadline for Soccer for Life 11-aside and 8-aside Outdoor Youth Provincial Championships
  • Sunday, June 5, 2016 - Roster/Transfer Deadline for Soccer for Life 11-aside and 8-aside Outdoor Youth Provincial Championships 
  • Friday, July 15, 2016 - Entry Deadline for Soccer for Life Senior and Masters/Classics Provincial Championships
  • Sunday, July 31, 2016 - Roster/Transfer Deadline for Soccer for Life Senior and Masters/Classics Provincial Championships
 
In addition, the SSA would like to inform potential participants in the Soccer for Life Women Masters Provincial Championship that this competition will be open to players 30 years of age and older as of January 1, 2015. This change from 35 years of age and older aligns to the change from Canada Soccer in the age classification for the Regional Women Masters Championship. As this is the first year of this change, please refer to the Rulebook for important information relating to the participation of individuals between  30-34 years of age. If your team is interested in entering the Soccer for Life Women Masters Provincial Championship, please contact Dave Nutt, Director of Soccer Operations, at 306-975-0826 or  [email protected]  in order to ensure an accurate understanding of these new rules.
 
Finally, the SSA is very pleased to release information on the 2016 Saskatchewan Open Cup. Aimed at the top competitive senior teams from across the province, the Saskatchewan Open Cup winner is declared as Saskatchewan's representative to the Canada Soccer Senior National Club Championships. Format, dates and venues for this competition are dependent on the number of entries, as explained in the  Rulebook , which is available on the website along with the  Entry Form
 
The following are the important deadlines for the Saskatchewan Open Cup:
  •  Wednesday, June 15, 2016 - Entry Deadline for Saskatchewan Open Cup
  • Sunday, July 31, 2016 or 10 days prior to the first game of the competition should it be earlier - Roster/Transfer Deadline for Saskatchewan Open Cup
The SSA would like to thank the Meridian Youth Soccer Association and Lloydminster & District Soccer Association for their willingness to host this summer's competitions and looks forward to welcoming teams from across Saskatchewan!
 
For more information on the Soccer for Life Provincial Championships or Saskatchewan Open Cup, please contact Octavian Iliuta, Coordinator of Competitions and Referee Development at 306-975-0894 or  [email protected] .
A Synopsis of the 2016 Annual General Meeting
 
We would like to thank all the attendees of this year's Member Sessions and Annual General Meeting in Saskatoon. We had 17 of 21 Regular Member Organizations and 5 Associate Member Organizations in attendance. 

On Saturday morning, Mr. Paul Varian made his presentation on the new 2017-2020 Strategic Plan for the Saskatchewan Soccer Association.  The Plan was developed after extensive consultation with key stakeholders and all levels of Membership and provides a clear vision for the future.  With the Plan coming into place in 2017 the SSA Board and Staff have the rest of the year to focus on detailed planning that will position the Association well as we enter a new era in soccer. 

Over lunch, the Members participated in our first "Network & Nibble" sessions which gave them a chance to grab a bite to eat and meet with the SSA staff and learn more about their roles within the SSA. 
 
Dave covered the player pathway, sport medicine workshops, and Competitive Stream Pathway; Terrol and Joan talked about the Combine program, high performance plan, and the Indoor Showcase League league; Octavian spoke about provincials, referee clinics, the Premier Soccer League, and the Candidate and SERP referee programs; Udo discussed school camps, coaching clinics, the 2016 Sask Games, and coaching certification; Nicole spoke about Goalline, the website, and Member & Player Registrations; Lara covered Grassroots Workshops; Chantal, along with Chalen and Janice from Knight Archer Insurance, spoke about the insurance policy; A full staff directory is available by clicking here .

At the AGM on Saturday afternoon, there was a motion approved resulting in a meeting within 60 days after the AGM to allow SSA members to engage in the development of a process for future bylaw changes.

Elections resulted in two-year terms being approved for Len Chelack (President), and as Directors for two-year terms - Kelly Rawlings, Marianne Schneider, Angella Pinay, Andrea Schmalz, and Lisa Bagonluri, and Leonard Lewko for a one-year term. 

The 2016-17 SSA Board of Directors
Len Chelack - President
Lisa Bagonluri - Vice President
Leslie Blyth
Steve Boodram
Jeff Humm
Leonard Lewko
Angella Pinay
Kelly Rawlings
Andrea Schmalz
Marianne Schneider
Andy Sears

On Sunday, Paul Varian provided the Membership with a very informative education session on Governance. Having a solid governance foundation is a source of strength in any organization which will ultimately allow organizations to be more successful on the field.  SSA will continue to support member organizations to grow their "off-field" capacity through Board and governance education as we move the Strategic Plan forward.
 
For any further information about the weekend's events, or if you have any questions, please contact:

Doug Pederson - Executive Director,
[email protected]
Jennifer Ellarma - Coordinator of Communications and Funds Development, [email protected]
2016 SSA Recognition and Technical Awards

The Saskatchewan Soccer Association was honoured to spend an evening with close to 250 members of the provincial soccer community on Saturday March 19th in Saskatoon to celebrate the achievements and highlights of the previous year.

The energy in the room was rousing, as teams, players, coaches, and volunteers from all over Saskatchewan came together to recognize the continued success of the ever growing and developing game in the Prairies.

For a full listing of winners, click here
For pictures from the evening, click here
SSA INDOOR PROVINCIALS
  • The 2016 Soccer for Life 6-Aside Indoor Youth  Provincial Championships was held in Regina on February 26 - 28, 2016. For full results, click here.
  • The 2016 Soccer for Life 8-Aside Indoor Youth Provincial Championships was held in Saskatoon on March 5 - 7, 2016. For full results, click here

Missed the action? Check out these albums on our Facebook page:

Are you an adult? Do you play soccer? Take our Adult Player participation survey now!

Saskatchewan Soccer is proud to launch an Adult Player Participation Survey for members of SSA who play adult soccer. The survey is meant to determine the perceptions and opinions of adult members on the purpose of and adult-targeted program offerings of SSA and its Adult Member Organizations.

The Adult Player Participation Survey will be available from May 12, 2016 until June 2, 2016. Anyone who does the survey will be able to enter in the draw for great prizes. The grand prizes include an iPad Mini and fitbit chargeHRs.

This is an opportunity for any female athletes from 16 - 35 years to get involved in a research study investigating the physical, psychological and social benefits for women when they participate in sport. 
SSA Membership Development
Congratulations to  Ile A la Crosse Friendship Centre Kennedy/Langbank Soccer, and  La Loche Minor Sports who have been approved for Associate Membership status with the Saskatchewan Soccer Association.

In addition, JJ Soccer has been approved as a full Associate Member Organization, and all previous conditions of membership restricting them as an Academy have been removed. 
A big thank you to each and every coach, volunteer, manager,  and staff that drive programming each and everyday in the communities in our province. 
#PrairieProud 
Participants of the SSA's C-License Learning Facilitator Training
Continued Development of Futsal in the Province
Futsal is the only indoor soccer game recognized by FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, and is played, 5-aside, on a smaller surface (court) with a low bounce (futsal) ball that allows each player to make technical and tactical decisions in a productive environment that still encourages the physical and social elements associated with soccer. Futsal is a fast-paced and skillful game that can be used as a developmental tool for soccer during the indoor training period or as a stand-alone sport. Videos from the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, including the  Top 10 Goals highlights from the final  featuring Spain versus Brazil and the  full final match  emphasize the highly entertaining nature of futsal.  
 
As futsal grows internationally and across Canada, the SSA is beginning to develop tools for implementation and plans to expand futsal opportunities throughout Saskatchewan. As a starting point to futsal development in Saskatchewan, the SSA is very pleased to provide Futsal in Saskatchewan:  Futsal Manual , which has been created to assist communities in establishing futsal programs.
 
In addition, the SSA has assembled a work group to support the development of short, medium and long term priorities for futsal development.  Please click here for the Futsal Development Work Group Terms of Reference .
 
The current membership of the SSA Futsal Development Work Group is as follows:
 
Dave Nutt - SSA Director of Soccer Operations (Chair)
Jerson Barandica-Hamilton - Saskatoon Futsal League
Josh Hartl - Regina United Futsal Federation
Michael Jakubiec - Yorkton United Football Club
Jaime Meza - Saskatoon Futsal League
Kevin Wagner - Lakeland College
Udo Baecker - SSA Coordinator of Sport for All (Support - Coach Training)
Octavian Iliuta - SSA Coordinator of Competitions and Referee Development (Support - Competitions and Referee Development)
 

Futsal Resources:  
For more information on futsal and SSA-led futsal initiatives, please contact Dave Nutt, Director of Soccer Operations at 306-975-0826 or  [email protected] .

Venues announced for 2016 Sport Chek National Championships
 
Four provinces - Newfoundland Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick - have been selected as hosts for the 2016 Sport Chek National Championships. As hosts, the provincial soccer associations will stage both the men's and women's competitions during the Sport Chek National Championships from 5-10 October 2016.
 
The Sport Chek National Championships are Canada's premier amateur soccer competitions, with provincial and territory winners pitted against each other at the senior and youth levels on the national stage.
 
"The Sport Chek National Championships encourage excellence in our sport, from the youth to senior levels in amateur club soccer," said Canada Soccer President Victor Montagliani. "Our host provinces and host cities will once again prove to be excellent ambassadors and hosts for our game in Canada."
 
In 2016, Newfoundland Labrador will host the two senior competitions in St. John's (men's Challenge Trophy and women's Jubilee Trophy), Ontario will host the U-18 Cups in Vaughan, Prince Edward Island will host the U-16 Cups (venues to be confirmed), and New Brunswick will host the U-14 Cups in Moncton.
 
Next year marks the 94th edition of the senior men's competition (since 1913) and 35th edition of the senior women's competition (since 1982).
RESPECT IN SPORT FOR ALL MEMBER ORGANIZATION AND ENTITY COACHES, MANAGERS AND TEAM PERSONNEL

Respect in Sport is REQUIRED...No Exceptions!
 
And WHY?
  • Provincial-wide MANDATE from SaskSport Inc., to all Provincial Sport Governing bodies for ALL sports,  ALL TEAMS in Saskatchewan - FAQ about the RiS Provincial Certification Initiative
  • Everyone deserves a safe, abuse-free, and bullying-free environment
  • Reduce the risk of liability for YOU, as a volunteer - Education is power against instances of negligence, abuse, and harassment
Your RIS number must be provided upon registration with your member organization.
 
All Coaches and Team Personnel must possess Respect in Sport (RIS) certification prior to participating in their first soccer related activity, therefore, please note that participation in local games, tournaments, and access to travel permits is prohibited without RiS.
 
Certification is FREE and only takes approximately 3 hours.  Click here to begin.
 
Certified, but lost your RIS number?  Click here .
 
Contact Udo Baecker for further information regarding RiS Certification. 


 

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We want to hear your soccer stories!

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