May 21 - Member Update
SSA Offices closed Monday, May 24th
Both offices will be closed on Monday, May 24th for the Victoria Day holiday. We hope you all enjoy the long weekend!
Return to Soccer
This morning we met with the BRT, Sask Sport and our colleagues from other provincial sport bodies. Based on the information provided, we can provide the below updates.
Current Restrictions
There is no update at this time on increasing the number of participants on a field, however this is being actively reviewed. The limit per field remains at 30 players until we have been notified otherwise. We are very close to the vaccination threshold for Step 2 and if things continue to progress, it is likely Step 2 will begin around June 20 (official date to be announced)
Step 2 of Saskatchewan's Re-opening Roadmap
Sport is set to open in Step 2 of the Roadmap. Below are updates on what we may expect (subject to change at any time):
Most of the restrictions around Indoor and Outdoor sports will be lifted in Step 2, however there may be some restrictions still in place including but not limited to:
Travel restrictions may still be in place.
It is unclear at this time if masks will be required for indoor play in Step 2.
The BRT requested our patience over the next few weeks, as it is determined what is and is not required for sport. We hope to still see lessened restrictions prior to Step 2, and will continue to advise membership on any updates.
Both the Return to Soccer Plan and FAQ have been updated this week.
Next Member Discussion
The next Member Discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th at 8:00 PM (or earlier as required).
Register here. 
MAP Grant Update
MAP Grant approval letters went out on Wednesday evening.
Eden Senger, SSA’s Registrar and Coordinator of Special Projects is now administering the MAP Grant process and can be reached at e.senger@sasksoccer.com and 306-975-0870.
Follow-ups are due on September 30th. For deadlines and resources, please refer to your MAP Grant letter and visit our website.
Congratulations to Kaylyn Kyle on being inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame!
Kaylyn Kyle has been inducted to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as an honoured member after a standout career as a professional and international player with Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team. A Concacaf champion and Olympic Games bronze medal winner, Kyle represented Canada at two FIFA Women’s World Cups.
Kyle was a three-time Saskatchewan Soccer Senior Female Player of the Year and one-time Sask Sport Athlete of the Year. She played her club football in Canada, Sweden and USA including the first four seasons of the National Women’s Soccer League. With Canada, she made 101 international “A” appearances across eight years from 2008 to 2015, including a streak of 62 consecutive matches which at the time was the second longest streak in program history.
Kyle helped Canada win the Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2010 and an Olympic Games bronze medal in 2012. Canada’s London 2012 was honoured as The Canadian Press Team of the Year in 2012 and was honoured by the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2019.
Said Kyle in 2017 after her retirement, “to be able to pull on your jersey with a Canadian crest is one of the most amazing feelings in the world.”
The Hall of Fame was established to honour outstanding Saskatchewan athletes, championship teams and sport builders as well as preserving the history of Saskatchewan sport.
On Tuesday, we announced the below details on a new initiative and partnership with Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. If you haven’t already, please read the member release below - this is an exciting opportunity that your organization won’t want to miss out on! Please note, we will be following up with all organizations by phone next week to request your support - we look forward to chatting with you!
May 18,2021 Release:
Due to the generous support of Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. (LSSE), one Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) Member Organization or Club will have the opportunity to be crowned Soccer Town Saskatchewan and to win $5,000 towards field or facility upgrades or maintenance or equipment!
Now is your chance to show your organizations support and demonstrate the growing excitement in your community for a Canadian Premier League team coming to Saskatchewan!
Let us know why you love Soccer and what makes it the most popular game in the world!
Show us what it means to Soccer in Saskatchewan, your organization, and your participants to have a CPL team in Saskatchewan!
Tell the province that your organization SUPPORTS A SOCCER STADIUM IN SASKATOON!
“This is the beginning of a long partnership with LSSE. Having a professional team in Saskatchewan is a game changer for our sport. Seeing professional soccer played in our own province will inspire our athletes, with some even having the opportunity to play professionally at home. It will encourage more kids to play and increase possibilities for officials to develop their skills. We couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity and for what is to come. We are proud to be supporters of LSSE and the Stadium Project in Saskatoon.” Doug Pederson, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Soccer Association
“LSSE is honored to join SSA in support of Soccer Town Saskatchewan. This wonderful initiative will benefit a club or organization in the province with funds to enhance the soccer infrastructure or equipment needs in their community - and that’s a good thing,” said LSSE founder Alan Simpson.
Simpson added, “As the game of soccer continues to grow world-wide with Canada and Saskatchewan being no exception, LSSE is hopeful that we can bring a professional team to the province. We believe a pro team will give our local players who aspire to play professionally the opportunity to play at home, and just as importantly, our Saskatchewan fans of the game a team of their own to cheer and support.”
The grand prize will be awarded on Social Media on June 29, 2021. Organizations have until May 31st to declare their interest in participating and the videos will launch on June 5, 2021 on both SSA and LSSE social media channels. The winner will be announced on SSA and LSSE Social Media Channels on Tuesday, June 29.
To enter:
All you need to do is show your support for the LSSE Stadium project and their efforts to bring a CPL team to our province by creating a short video (15 to 60 seconds). Not tech savvy? No problem! This is a great opportunity to get youth participants involved, they will know what to do!
Steps to enter:
1. Express your interest on this form by May 31st
2. You’ll be emailed additional instructions on how to submit your video clip
3. On June 5th, we will post your video on both SSA’s and LSSE’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages
Criteria:
The competition is open to both SSA Member Organizations and Clubs of Member Organizations.The winning video must have a minimum of 25 total Facebook/Instagram/Twitter Likes (combined) on SSA’s or LSSE’s post of your video
Videos will be judged and a winner determined by a committee of LSSE and SSA representatives.
Judging Criteria: Enthusiasm, creativity, and demonstrating support of LSSE and the Stadium Project in Saskatoon.
Funds must go towards the winning organization’s facilities or equipment (not for individual expenses). The winning organization must be willing to work with SSA on a follow-up story.
All COVID 19 Protocols must be followed - Videos not following protocols will not be posted.
Videos should be approximately 15 to 60 seconds in length.
For further information:
Contact Nicole Drozda, Coordinator of Member Services at n.drozda@sasksoccer.com.
This week we launched the Rafflebox 50/50 Fundraiser, with the current weekly jackpot already over $6,000 and growing! We would like to thank everyone for their support in drawing attention to the campaign to make the first week of the Fundraiser a huge success! Let’s continue to keep advertising and keep this momentum going to raise as much funds as possible for soccer in Saskatchewan!
The first draw will be completed on Tuesday, May 25th at 2pm and the winner will be announced via Facebook.
Get your tickets today!
Each week visit Everyone’s Game Resource Centre on our weekly communication to find informational and inspirational articles, member interviews, and developmental opportunities.
Monthly Member Interview: Faith
Faith Jasper sits down with Eden Senger to discuss why inclusion and diversity is so vital to the success of soccer. Faith is currently enrolled in Kinesiology at the UofR, she has been part of SSA as a player and a coach. Currently a coach with Queen City United Soccer Club within the grassroots programming as well as the competitive stream. Faith has been a part of Best Buddies, an organization helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find friendships, as well as being involved with Special Olympics throughout high-school and University.
May Interview: Listen to Faith’s interview
Past Interviews
April Interview: Listen to Carlos’s interview
Inspirational Articles: Egale’s 2021 Guide to International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia for Sports Organizations
May 17 marked International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)—a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities that encourages us to recognize, take action on, and end the discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQI people and communities.
Everyone’s Game Community - Quarterly Education Series
Sign up today to be apart of Everyone’s Game Community, the group consist of member organizations representatives who are taking action and joining the movement. This will be a safe place for organizations to share experiences, build together, celebrate successes, and learn from one another. It will include quarterly meetings to allow for open discussions, free workshops, and resource sharing. Our first meeting is scheduled for June 23 where we will discuss building and implementing Diverse Gender strategies within your organization’s policies.
Techne Launch Week 11 Leaderboard
The winner of the Week #10 Techne Leaderboard draw and a $50 Xtratime Sports Soccer Locker gift card is Rene Z. from ASTRA Soccer Academy.
SSA Calendar of Events & Deadlines
Recordings of past webinars and COVID 19 member calls can be found on our YouTube Channel.
BE SAFE! BE THE SOLUTION!
As a reminder, please continue to take care of yourself, your families, and others.
| Wash your hands frequently (it is the single most effective way of reducing infection spread). |
| Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with your hands and cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough (ideally with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow). |
| Clean and disinfect frequently touched workspace surfaces. |
| Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and move in moderation). |
| Stay home if you are sick |
 | Our sport is underway during the pandemic. It's a challenging time, but support from our partners allows us to offer opportunities for kids to play. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Nous reconnaissons l'appui financier du gouvernement du Canada. |
