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:

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, and will be available on the Saskatchewan Soccer Association RAMP Page.

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:

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.

Communities interested in hosting a referee course are encouraged to contact Octavian Iliuta at o.iliuta@sasksoccer for more information.