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Registration for the 2026 Sask Cup Rural Tournament, taking place from May 22nd to 24th in Humboldt, is now open.
Teams must register through their respective Member Organization to ensure they are placed in the correct division and have the necessary approval to participate in the event.
To register, please use the following link: Saskatchewan Soccer Association: Website by RAMP InterActive
For any questions or further information regarding the Sask Cup, please contact r.gibney@sasksoccer.com.
| | Sask Cup 9-a-side Results | | |
A huge Thank You to all teams that participated in this year's Sask Cup 9-a-side in Moose Jaw! It was an action packed weekend culminating with U19 Boys final that was decided in Penalty Kicks.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to JJ Soccer and Excelsior FC for hosting. Your organization, volunteers, and community played an important role in delivering a well-run and memorable championship event. We are grateful for your leadership, commitment, and continued support of Soccer in Saskatchewan!
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U15 Boys
Champion: Aurora Celtics
Finalist: Eastside Atalanta
MVP: Faizon Raji - Aurora Celtics
Fair Play: Battlefords United FC
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U15 Girls
Champion: FCR Legacy
Finalist: ASTRA Red
MVP: Lilou Lindsay - FCR Legacy
Fair Play: Forge FC
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U17 Boys
Champion: QC United
Finalist: ASTRA
MVP: Declan Johnston - QC United
Fair Play: Battlefords United FC
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U17 Girls
Champion: FCR Metz
Finalist: PA Celtic
MVP: Kennedy Mazar - Battlefords United FC
Fair Play: Battlefords United FC
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U19 Boys
Champion: FCR Bluestars
Finalist: Excelsior FC
MVP: Vito Lulu-Pokubo - Astra Soccer Academy
Fair Play: Eastside Rangers
| | SSA Invests in Grassroots Development by Covering Cost of 2026 On-Field Coach and Official Education Workshops | |
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) recognizes that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in North America, is expected to generate unprecedented interest and participation in soccer across Canada. Historically, major global tournaments have led to significant increases in player registrations, coach involvement, and referee recruitment at the grassroots level.
In anticipation of this growth, SSA is proactively investing in initiatives designed to help Member Organizations build the capacity needed to support increased participation and expanded programming opportunities. By reducing barriers to education and training, SSA aims to ensure that clubs across Saskatchewan are well positioned to welcome new players, develop qualified coaches and referees, and sustain the long-term growth of the game.
As part of this commitment, we are pleased to announce that there will be no cost for coaches to attend a Grassroots Coach Education On-Field Workshop during the 2026 calendar year.
The online theory component will remain mandatory, and the cost associated with the online theory portion will continue to be the responsibility of the coach or their Member Organization. Participant fees for any in-house workshop deliveries that have already occurred in 2026 will be waived.
This initiative is available exclusively to individuals who are registered to coach within a Member Association of Saskatchewan Soccer.
Course Locations
Courses in the following areas have been confirmed:
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Courses in the following areas are planned but are pending final confirmation of dates: Prince Albert, Weyburn, Swift Current, Redvers.
Registration
Registration for all events will open on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Click Here to register.
Additional Hosting Requests
Saskatchewan Soccer will cover all costs associated with the courses listed above.
If a community requests to host an additional SSA-delivered event beyond those already scheduled, the requesting community will be responsible for all operating costs, including Coach Developer meals, accommodation, travel, and honorarium.
In-House Course Deliveries
In addition to SSA-delivered courses, Member Organizations may apply to host an in-house course. Applications must be submitted using the designated form and received at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the course date.
Member Organizations approved to host an in-house delivery will not be charged the individual participant fee.
For approved in-house courses, the hosting Member Organization is responsible for:
· Managing all course logistics
· Covering facility costs
· Paying the Coach Developer at the SSA standard rate
SSA may also utilize in-house deliveries to support the training and development of new Coach Developers in the region. Member Organizations will be notified upon approval if additional personnel will be present. SSA will cover all costs associated with any Master Coach Developer or Coach Developer in Training attending these events.
Referee Entry Level Workshops – 2026
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) is pleased to announce that it will be covering the course fee ($75 per participant) for individuals attending a Referee Entry Level Workshop during the 2026 calendar year.
The online theory component will remain mandatory, and the cost associated with the online portion will continue to be the responsibility of the referee or their Member Organization. Participant fees for any Referee Entry Level clinics that have already occurred in 2026 will be subsidized by Saskatchewan Soccer.
This initiative is open to all interested individuals. Upon completion of the course, participants must register as a referee within a Member Association of Saskatchewan Soccer. The Member Organization will be responsible for the referee registration costs and ensuring that participants remain registered in future years.
Confirmed Course Locations
The following Referee Entry Level Workshops have been confirmed:
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Please visit the Saskatchewan Soccer website for exact registration deadlines for each course. Some workshops may have limited capacity based on available space and instructor availability. If you would like to register please click Here.
Communities interested in hosting a referee course are encouraged to contact Octavian Iliuta at o.iliuta@sasksoccer for more information.
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To strengthen relationships and foster meaningful conversations, SSA will host Monthly Technical Meetings with Member Organizations.
These sessions are designed to share updates on SSA and CSA projects, hear your perspectives, and support early collaboration on your initiatives.
The meeting link is provided below and was also shared in a previous email to all MO representatives.
Connected | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
| | Technical Tuesday Speaker Series | | Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards Updates | | |
Canada Soccer has updated their grassroots standards and has developed specific criteria for each level of club licensing.
Grassroots Standards
Grassroots Program Guide
All clubs must be in alignment with the Grassroots Standards and program requirements for their Club Licensing level prior to the indoor 2026-2027 season. Note that dispensation will be provided on a case-by-case basis regarding the Children’s Diploma requirement for the 2026-2027 calendar year. Further information regarding travel time and an exemption process will be provided at a later date.
All clubs who currently hold, or are pursing, a Member Association Level 1, Level 2, or National Youth Club License will be required to complete a Grassroots Audit. Club Executive and Technical directors will be contacted directly about this process by April 15, 2026.
Any questions about the updates in Grassroots Standards and Programming can be directed to Ashlyn Therens (a.therens@sasksoccer.com) and Hassan Mowgli (h.mowgli@sasksoccer.com).
| | Canada Soccer Announces Year 3 of AccelerateHER Program | | |
Building on the momentum of its first two years, Canada Soccer is proud to launch Year 3 of the AccelerateHER program. For the 2026/2027 cycle, the initiative will focus on the foundation of the Advanced Coach Education pathway, promoting gender equity in grassroots soccer through the inaugural delivery of a fully funded All-Women’s Children’s Diploma, alongside three All-Women C Diplomas.
AccelerateHER is a strategic Canada Soccer initiative designed to break down systemic and financial barriers, empowering women to enter and advance within the coaching landscape. In Year 3, the program will support 20 women coaches to complete the Children’s Diploma free of charge in a dedicated all-women learning environment, while also funding three All-Women C Diplomas, hosted and delivered by selected Provincial Member Associations.
Building on Success
Since its inception, AccelerateHER has transformed the landscape of advanced coaching in Canada, expanding opportunities for women at every level. In Year 1, the program supported 50 women across the A, B, Children’s, and Goalkeeper streams through individual grants, while funding five All-Women C Diploma workshops. Year 2 built on this progress by fully funding an All-Women CONCACAF B Diploma for 36 coaches, delivered entirely by women coach developers to create a robust mentorship and learning ecosystem. Year 3 now brings that same expertise, equity, and opportunity to the grassroots level, ensuring women leaders help shape the game from a player’s very first experience.
Elevating Grassroots Leadership
While previous years focused on the upper levels of the Advanced Coach Education pathway, Year 3 recognizes that the greatest impact on sustainable soccer development begins at the grassroots. Coaches working with players at the foundational level shape first experiences, influence retention, and set the standard for safe, inclusive environments.
“Investing in women coaches at the early stages of the advanced coach education pathway is critical. Coaches working with children and youth shape first experiences, influence retention, and set the standard for safe, inclusive environments,” said Sara McConaghy, Director, Community and Sport Inclusion at Canada Soccer.
AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma
The AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma will enable 20 women coaches to complete the program at no cost. Recognizing that cost and distance are significant barriers, each participant will also receive a $500 travel bursary to support equitable access to this advanced education opportunity. Applications for the AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma opened on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and close on May 1, 2026.
For complete program details, eligibility requirements, and to submit an application, please visit the AccelerateHER Webpage.
AccelerateHER C Diplomas
In addition to the AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma, Year 3 will fund three All-Women C Diplomas nationwide, further expanding the program’s reach across Provincial Member Associations. Host provinces and the application process for coaches in participating regions will be announced by April 30, 2026.
About AccelerateHER
AccelerateHER is Canada Soccer’s Women’s Advanced Coach Education Program. It provides financial support and dedicated pathways for women coaches, with each year taking a unique approach to address the evolving needs of women pursuing advanced coach education. For more information, click here.
| | Advanced Coach Education Program Application | | |
The application window for the Advanced Coach Education Program is open until March 31, 2026.
To apply for a Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Workshop, click here.
To get more information on Advanced Coach Education Program courses click here.
| | Female Referee Entry Level Clinic | |
Saskatchewan Soccer will be hosting a Female only Referee Clinic on April 11, 2026 - 10:30- 5:00pm in Saskatoon.
The SSA counts on your support for the recruitment of female referees by channeling interested and available candidates (14 years old and above by May 1, 2026) to this clinic.
There is no cost associated to you as Saskatchewan Soccer will be subsidizing their Course fee.
There is a requirement to have the referee registered with your MO (RSRA in this case) after completion of the course (this is the same requirement for all referees). Upon completion, support and mentorship will also be needed for them to be successful on field.
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Following this pre-registration, they must complete the Online Modules via Canada Soccer’s Smarter U. They will be required to purchase an Access Key($40) from here and complete the modules by April 4th, 2026. Complete instructions start with step 3 by accessing this link. The completion of the module by the deadline will secure their pre-registration spot on a first completed first served basis. There are limited numbers - I advise this is completed sooner if possible.
- We will be monitoring their progress and, once completed, we will connect with them directly within more details on the course.
| 2026 Referee Season Open for Registrations – To be used for all referee registrations. | | |
Preparations for the outdoor season are under way. Match officials represent a vital part of the game. Please encourage all returning referees to head over to your Member Organization’s RAMP portal and register if they have not done so already. Referees have a very important role in sport and having a trained pool of referees is vital to the success of your local programming.
The new season for registering referees through the 2026 Referee Season is now available and will remain open for the 2026 calendar year.
A kind reminder that all referees 18+ must upload a current Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check at the time of registration.
If you need to submit a Referee Registrar Report, you can find it on our website here.
REMINDER: The 2026 Referee season will not be active until the Member Organization activates it; this can be done in the season settings.
RAMP Season Set Up Tutorial: RAMP Registration System Admin Tutorial
What if not enough match officials are returning?
The time to recruit more participants and book a referee clinic is now. Head over to the Saskatchewan Soccer Referee Courses page for more information. Future referees are required to complete The Entry Level Referee Course Online Module via Smarter U (link accessible on the webpage and also via the individual Ramp account) before registering for the one day in person session. If your Member Organization has any questions, please contact Octavian at o.iliuta@sasksoccer.com.
| | Entry Level Referee Course Online Modules | | |
As of 2024, Canada Soccer has launched the new updated Entry Level Referee Online Modules. This has replaced the SSA Google Classroom approach aligning entry-level coach and referee development at the National level. The access keys for the online modules (purchased by each participant) will cost $40 for $2026 and $50 in 2027.
All eligible Referee Entry Level Clinic participants (minimum of 14 years and older) are required to complete The Online Training via Canada Soccer’s SmarterU platform before moving forward with a seven-hour in-person session to complete referee certification.
The Referee Course Registration Guide is outlined here. The Referee Entry Level Clinic process via Smarter U is available via this link. The Small Sided Referee /Futsal referee process is described here. All information is also available on the SSA Website on the Referee Courses page.
For more information on referee courses or to schedule a practical session in your community, please contact Octavian Iliuta – Manager of Referee Development at o.iliuta@sasksoccer.com.
| | Community Referee Education Sessions | | |
SSA will be offering Laws of the Game Refresher online education sessions (via Zoom) to all Saskatchewan Soccer registered referees. Sessions will be approximately 1-1.5 hours and will focus on several exciting topics spread over the course of four sessions. We will explore and learn together on Laws of the Game 2025-2026 Revisions, including the Goalkeeper 8 second release. You are welcome to attend one session that fits your schedule.
Sessions take place, March 24, April 1, April 15, and April 23 with a 7:30 p.m. start time.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested, please register here. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to access the session of your choice.
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Over 80% of the new referees that took a Referee Course in 2025 were under the age of 18.
As the Indoor season, with tournament and leagues is in full swing, a kind reminder to all participants regarding proper behaviour, and displaying a positive example, for a Positive Game Time environment. Emotions do come out, words in the moment hurt, and Referees are Human.
Referees are essential to the participant’s experience and advancement of the game. They deserve our respect and a supportive, abuse-free, environment. You can make a difference; always treat them well and thank them for their contributions every game!
If their whistle is Green, they are Under 18!
| | Final Indoor Registrar Report - March 31 | | |
The final registrar report for the indoor season is March 31st. This registrar report will cover all indoor registrations that your organization has received from December 9th/2025 - March 31st, 2026.
2025-26 Indoor Registrar Report - March 31 1.xlsx
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RAMP Registration for the Outdoor 2026 Season and 2026 Referee Season are open!
REMINDER: The season will not be active until the Member Organization activates it under the season settings. To learn more click Here
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2026 SSA Membership Renewal Overdue
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All Member Organizations are required to renew each year to be eligible for SSA Member Benefits. Members who renew on time are rewarded through Member Assistance Program Funding (MAP) and are eligible to vote at the SSA AGM.
The deadline for renewal was March 15. Late fees will now be charged for any Member Organizations that did not complete the form and payment prior to the due date.
Regular Members – $150 annually if received late
Associate Members – $100 annually if received late
Reminder:
In order for member organizations to maintain their Good Standing with the SSA, members must have submitted their membership renewal, along with the required information and having paid the appropriate fee. Only members in Good Standing with the SSA are eligible for MAP Grant funding.
Renew Here
Payment can be submitted via e-transfer to ea@sasksoccer.com or by cheque payable to: Saskatchewan Soccer Association
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