Information is key to success in today's sport, culture and recreation environment. In Get the Scoop, you will find the latest news, funding and resources from the South East Sport, Culture & Recreation District. | | | Board SnapShot Survey - Your voice, your impact! | | We'd love to get your feedback! We're listening to community voices to help guide our Board priorities. Take this 2-question survey for a chance to win a gift card! We'll share what we hear next quarter! | | Brought to You by Snow and Ice - A Toolkit for Embracing Winter | | |
This Toolkit was created to help communities embrace winter activities and boost engagement. Whether you are looking for inspirational ideas or ways to help take your winter programming further, there’s something for ever stage of your Winter Town journey.
Gain a better understanding of what it means to a Winter Town, why it’s beneficial, and how to become one. In this toolkit you’ll find:
- Resources for planning and evaluation
- Tips for community engagement and promotion
- Real examples of Winter Town ideas in the South East and beyond
This Toolkit is for municipal leaders, recreation coordinators, community groups, and local leaders that want to help their communities embrace winter.
| | Leadership Workshop Series | Our "Leadership Workshop Series" is designed to equip community leaders, nonprofit staff, and volunteers with the practical knowledge and tools needed to lead with confidence. From mastering grant writing to running effective meetings and developing solid policies and plans, these sessions are packed with actionable guidance to help your organization thrive. Whether you're new to leadership or looking to sharpen your skills, this series will provide the clarity and confidence to take the next step. | Write It, Win It: The Grant Writing Gameplan with Coralie Bueckert | |
Successful grant writing requires clear proposals, aligned budgets, and a strong understanding of funder priorities. This workshop covers the fundamentals—from research to application—to help you create compelling, well-structured submissions. Reserve your virtual seat today!
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Coralie Bueckert
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 12
| Volunteer Leduc: A Case Study of Volunteer Impact on the Community with Elana Hansen | |
Using Volunteer Leduc as a case study, this webinar explores programs and services developed through the Volunteer Leduc Strategy, offering practical ideas and tools for your own community. Volunteerism is vital to our social fabric—connecting people, supporting services, and shaping society. We'll focus on four key principles: telling our story, creating connection, building capacity, and empowering volunteers. Highlights include the Newcomers Mixer, corporate volunteering initiatives, and VolunteerFest, a celebration of community engagement.
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Elana Hansen
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 2
| | Inclusive Communities Workshop Series | As part of our Inclusive Communities workshop series, we’re hosting two engaging sessions to support more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming environments for all! | | Language and Approach: Respectable Approaches to Including People with Disabilities | |
Including people of all backgrounds and abilities is important for creating inclusive and caring communities. Canadians with disabilities often face barriers to inclusion within society, including employment, financial security and social inclusion. Discrimination isn’t always intended, but it can come from a place of not knowing how to reach out to people experiencing disability or come from a place of anxiety about saying or doing something that will be offensive.
This webinar is about working towards making our communities inclusive and accessible, starting with the language around disability and then the next steps, creating the ask. Some of your greatest resources in your community may remain untapped because they weren’t asked.
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Facilitators: Jenelle Fortier & Shandrea Verboom-Brodner, Inclusion Saskatchewan
Guest Speaker: Leanne Madsen
Registration Deadline: Monday, December 8
| | Best Practices for Disability Inclusion in Recreation with Taryn Barry | |
Including people of all backgrounds and abilities is important for creating inclusive and caring communities. Canadians with disabilities often face barriers to inclusion within society, including employment, financial security and social inclusion. Discrimination isn’t always intended, but it can come from a place of not knowing how to reach out to people experiencing disability or come from a place of anxiety about saying or doing something that will be offensive.
This webinar is about working towards making our communities inclusive and accessible, starting with the language around disability and then the next steps, creating the ask. Some of your greatest resources in your community may remain untapped because they weren’t asked.
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Taryn Barry, Ph.D., Project Manager, The Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
Registration Deadline: Monday, January 12
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This year, we are trying something new! Culture Chat will feature inspiring speakers covering a range of topics, including event and audience development, grant writing, and fostering arts practices in rural areas, as well as the importance of culture to economic development. You won’t want to miss these engaging speakers.
The topic is always different, but the passionate focus is always on culture. Make new connections, be inspired and meet other creatives, makers, and doers in the southeast and beyond over your lunch break, virtually.
| | Culture Days Yorkton: Make Culture Accessible by Involving all of Your Community | |
Culture Days is a national celebration that unites communities through free, hands-on arts and culture events each fall, fostering creativity, connection, and collaboration. Yorkton, recognized as a 2024 Top Participating Community, has gained provincial and national attention for its innovative approach and strong community engagement.
Join this session to explore Yorkton’s journey—their program successes, challenges, and funding strategies—and learn how to make your own community a vibrant cultural destination.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Guest Speakers: Lisa Washington, Manager of Community, Culture and Heritage, City of Yorkton
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, December 10
| | Navigating Film and Making it Happen in the Southeast | |
Contemporary art practices are increasingly thriving in rural Saskatchewan, challenging the notion that artists must live in large urban centers to succeed—especially in filmmaking. In this Chat, two practitioners from Southeast Saskatchewan share how they create critical, contemporary work while staying grounded in their communities. Discover what inspires them, how they’ve secured funding, and how they continue to build professional film practices outside major cities.
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Guest Speaker: Artists and Filmmakers Morgan Kelly and Emily Ellis
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 20
| | Placemaking and Intangible Cultural Heritage | |
Communities across Saskatchewan each have unique heritage and culture. David and his team’s research explores not “do we have heritage?” but “what is our heritage and how do we keep it alive?” His presentation compares ways of defining heritage—tangible, intangible, and their values—to help participants identify what their communities value.
Amber’s presentation focuses on placemaking, a people-centred approach to designing and managing public spaces that fosters connection, health, identity, and sustainability. Reflect on how your community already practices these elements and join the conversation.
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Guest Speaker: David Siebert, Communication – Research Manager, Heritage Saskatchewan and Amber Andersen, Community Development Consultant, South East Sport, Culture, & Recreation District
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 11
| | Arts and Economic Development with Saskatchewan Arts Alliance | |
In recent years, community leaders have increasingly recognized the economic impact of lifestyle initiatives—from walking paths and murals to festivals and inclusive programming. Southeast communities are embracing economic development strategies that integrate the arts, which drive growth by creating jobs, attracting visitors and businesses, fostering pride, and boosting property values. Em Ironstar, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance, joins us to share tools and insights on how the arts are strengthening our communities.
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Guest Speaker: Em Ironstar, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Arts Alliance
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, March 17
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Inspiring Engagement: Developing Coaches and Officials in Grassroots Sport | |
Across Saskatchewan, programs are growing while coaches and officials are stretched thin. This 60-minute webinar explores how clubs can attract and retain volunteers by rethinking the experience—focusing on belonging, support, clear expectations, and purpose—and offers practical, rural-realistic strategies, examples, reflection, and a toolkit
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Lauren Brett, Leadership Coach with Sport Law
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 20
| | Cheer Story: How Redvers Volunteers Rallied to Save the Ice! | The Redvers & District Recreation Centre is the heart of the community, and its ice surface is essential for the upcoming season. So, when the ice plant motor failed late in September, Recreation Director Nadine Pryde knew they were facing a crisis. What followed was a display of collective effort, local initiative, and community spirit that got the rink back up and chilling in just over 24 hours. | | |
These past fall months have been full of exciting opportunities to connect and grow!
- In October, we hosted two Board Ready in a Day workshops, helping community leaders strengthen their governance skills and prepare for success.
- We had a wickedly productive and fun staff planning day in Weyburn!
- In November, we traveled to Meadow Lake to participate in the Mission Orientation, continuing our commitment to collaboration. And now, we’re gearing up for the Saskatchewan Games - planning, organizing, and ensuring everything is ready for an incredible experience!
Stay tuned for more updates as we keep building strong communities and supporting local leaders.
| | Be Part of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games! | | |
Ready to represent your district and showcase your skills? Whether you're an athlete, coach, or manager, now’s the time to start planning your journey to the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games!
Take Action Today! Review your sport’s technical package for eligibility and tryout details. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Games!
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February 15-18
- Artistic Swimming
- Biathlon
- Bowling - 5 Pin
- Bowling - Special Olympics
- Curling - Male
- Gymnastics
- Ringette
- Speed Skating
- Table Tennis
- Wrestling
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February 18-21
- Badminton
- Cross Country and Para Nordic Skiing
- Curling - Female
- Figure Skating
- Judo
- Target Shooting
- Weightlifting
- Futsal
| | Upcoming tryouts and opportunities for South East athletes: | | |
Badminton
- Age Category: U18 (Born 2008 or later)
- Tryouts: January 17, Kipling School Gym
- Pre-register by emailing the athlete's name, age, date of birth, gender and community to garth.shoemaker@pvsd.ca
Biathlon
- Age category: 11-14 YOA (Born 2012-2015)
- Tryouts: December 13-14, 2025 Qu'Appelle Valley Nordic Centre, Lumsden
Cross Country & Para Nordic Skiing
- U12 category (2 females and 2 males):
- Years of Age: 10 and 11 as of December 31, 2025
- Year of Birth: 2014 to 2015
- U14 category (2 females and 2 males):
- Years of Age: 12 and 13 as of December 31, 2025
- Year of Birth: 2012 to 2013
- U16 category (2 females and 2 males):
- Years of Age: 14 and 15 as of December 31, 2025
- Year of Birth: 2010 to 2011
- Para Nordic Sit or Standing (2 co-ed athletes):
- Years of Age: 10 – 20 as of December 31, 2025
- Year of Birth: 2005 to 2015
- Tryouts: TBD
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Curling - Male and Female
- Age category: 11-17 YOA (Born on or after January 1, 2009)
- Tryouts: January 9, Lampman Curling Club
Judo
- Age category: 10-14 YOA (Born 2011-2014)
- Tryouts: January 11, 2026, Vibank
Target Shooting
- Age category: 12-18 YOA (Born 2008-2014)
- December 6, 2025 - 2025 Novice Airgun Competition
- January 10, 2026 - Sask Winter Games Playdowns
Wrestling
- Age category: 13-16 YOA (Born 2010-2013)
- Tryouts: TBD
Weightlifting
- Age category: 10-18 YOA (Born 2008-2016)
- All Athletes wishing to be considered for selection must complete and submit the 2026 Sask Games Submission of Interest Form on or before January 1, 2026
| | Tryouts and their registration processes are managed by each sport's respective Provincial Sport Organization. Stay informed and visit the Saskatchewan Games website for the most recent updates! | | Spotlight on Sport Development for Life | | |
This month, we’re excited to share two inspiring stories that highlight how sport can shape lives far beyond the playing field. These articles explore the power of sport development—not just for competition, but for building confidence, resilience, and lifelong wellness.
From grassroots programs that introduce kids to physical activity, to initiatives that empower adults to rediscover the joy of movement, these stories remind us that sport is more than a game—it’s a pathway to community, health, and personal growth.
Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, you’ll find valuable insights on how inclusive, accessible programs can make a lasting impact. Dive in and be inspired to champion sport for life! Watch for upcoming South East District events in the new year, as we bring some new webinars and resources that focus on community sport and volunteer development!
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Canada Sport’s Hall of Fame Story
From an after-school activity to winning four Olympic medals, canoeing has shaped Adam van Koeverden’s life from a young age. Representing Canada, he earned gold in the K-1 500m and bronze in the K-1 1000m at Athens 2004, silver in the K-1 500m at Beijing 2008, and silver in the K-1 1000m at London 2012—making him one of Canada’s most decorated paddlers.
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The Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Hockey League Hits the Ice
The inaugural season of the Saskatchewan Senior Women’s Hockey League (SSWHL) is underway, marking a historic moment for women’s hockey in the province. With 11 teams, SSWHL is Saskatchewan’s first competitive senior league exclusively for women—filling a long-standing gap for athletes who want to keep playing after aging out of U22 or graduating from university.
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Upcoming Opportunities & Resources
| | The Community Foundation recently launched the Charity Resource Hub. This Hub is all about making it easier for Saskatchewan charities and non-profit organizations to find local support and information. Explore topics like fundraising, grants, marketing, and more! It’s everything you need in one spot. | | |
Upcoming Opportunities & Resources
| | 2025 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults Released | | |
The third edition of the ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults, Moving Beyond Stagnation: Elevating Physical Activity in Canada – the most up-to-date and comprehensive assessment of physical activity in Canada – highlights that the physical activity levels of adults living in Canada have been low for years.
It reveals that only 46% meet physical activity guidelines and that just 22% of communities (of at least 1,000 people) in Canada have a formal strategy for physical activity and sport.
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Upcoming Opportunities & Resources
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Can’t find the grant you need? We’ve compiled a list of websites that feature a wide range of grants for sport, culture, and recreation.
Reach out to our staff by email at ed@southeastdistrict.ca for assistance in your grant search!
| | Please note deadlines may change. For up to date information, seek the funder for the correct dates. | | Saskatchewan Lotteries - Everyone Wins! | | Sask Lotteries funds over 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across Saskatchewan. Every time you purchase a lottery ticket in Saskatchewan, a portion of that revenue supports a wealth of organizations in our communities. Subscriptions allow lottery players to play draw-based games – including LOTTO MAX, LOTTO 6/49, WESTERN MAX, WESTERN 649, DAILY GRAND and EXTRA – for up to a year in advance. Subscriptions can be purchased by phone, by mail, or on the Sask Lotteries website. | | | | Located within Treaty 2 & 4 Territory and Homeland of the Metis | |
| Check us out on social media! | | Get in touch with our staff! | | "South East District is a community driven organization for sport, culture and recreation in south east Saskatchewan. We help to build creative, active, and healthy communities. Join us!” | | | | |
