November 4 - Member Update
Closed for the long weekend
Saskatchewan Soccer Association will be closed on November 11 and 12 for the Remembrance Day long weekend.
Bylaw Consult
As part of the annual bylaw consultation, we requested members submit potential bylaw amendments for consideration by October 29. We can now advise that we have received no amendments from membership at this time.
The Bylaw consult session is set for November 23, 8:00pm (see registration details in the session outline below).
In advance of that session, we would like to gather input that will support our preparation for the meeting.
November Member Sessions
We had hoped to get together in person for our fall member sessions this year but unfortunately that is not advisable. So, once again, we are offering several informational sessions that will be of interest to all members. Please share this information with your volunteers based on the roles they play in your Member Organization. All workshops will take place on Zoom.
November 4-30: Diversity and Inclusion Training for Volunteers - A self-paced learning experience
Volunteers are the public face of community events, non-profit organizations, and the corporate sponsors that support those events and organizations. This is an online training course that educates volunteers about diversity and inclusion, examines both acceptable and unacceptable attitudes and behaviours, and identifies appropriate ways to respond in situations involving disrespectful behaviours. Participants can exit and re-enter the course at any time. On average, most participants will complete their training in less than an hour, NCCP PD points are awarded once complete. Registration is only available in November, to register contact e.senger@sasksoccer.com
November 9, 8:00 pm - Coach Development in SK
Canada Soccer’s Coach Education Program has recently undergone some major changes and upgrades. This member session will provide an update on the new delivery format in Saskatchewan and will highlight some of the benefits for you and your organizations Coaching Development goals. The workshop will have a 30 minute presentation followed by a group discussion exploring Coach Education and development and is suited to individuals and member organizations involved in Coach Development or support. To register in advance for this meeting on Zoom click here.
November 18, 8:00pm - Organizational Development to Enhance Participant Experience
We will have a keynote presenter speak on the importance of continued organizational development and how it impacts the participant experience. We will provide further details in early November but save this date as this workshop will be of interest to all Member Organizations. To register on Zoom click here.
November 23, 8:00pm - Annual Bylaw Consult
In preparation for the Annual General Meeting the SSA Board annually hosts a bylaw consultation to consider potential amendments. This session will provide an opportunity for all members to participate in open debate prior to the final deadline. Our goal is to work collaboratively and come to consensus so that we are prepared for the Annual General Meeting. For more details on the Bylaw Consult process visit our website.
November 30, 8:00 pm - Referee Development in SK
SSA considers referee development a fundamental pillar of soccer development in the province. This 90-minute workshop is an opportunity to learn about the Referee Pathway and SSA related support programs, key areas for a success local referee development program including referee standards, referee support and creating a safe and respectful environment for all. The workshop will have a 30-minute presentation followed by group discussions exploring Referee development. This workshop is suited to individuals and member organizations involved in Referee development or support. To register on Zoom click here.
Next Member Discussion - SSA will host our next member discussion as required should there be any major changes in COVID protocols.
Watch for additional details in future communications.
Upcoming Important Deadlines - November 7
Indoor Registration - Deadline for the Indoor Registrar Report and fees. This will include registrations received up to and including October 31.
Registration Fees and Reports: http://sasksoccer.com/content/participant-registration
If you have any questions or would like assistance, please contact Eden Senger: e.senger@sasksoccer.com
New Indoor Soccer Facility in Weyburn
On Saturday October 16, Markus Reinkens from Saskatchewan Soccer Association was in Weyburn for the grand opening of their new indoor soccer facility. Our congratulations go out to Weyburn Soccer and the various community leaders involved in the successful completion of this project.
Markus, who led a Walking Soccer demo for some of the Coaches, Volunteers, and Parents in attendance stated. “It’s an outstanding facility, and it’s great to see another excellent venue for soccer open up in Saskatchewan that will provide Weyburn and surrounding area a great place to play soccer all year round.”
Saskatchewan REX athlete's tryout with Vancouver Whitecaps Elite REX program and U17 Women’s National Team
Last week, three of our Saskatchewan REX athletes travelled to Vancouver, BC to attend a tryout with the Vancouver Whitecaps Elite REX program and U17 Women’s National Team. Shabona Niazi, Sana Karam, and Katie Flath, pictured below left to right all did incredibly well, representing themselves, the SSA Rex program, and their province with great distinction. They should be very proud of their efforts.
"It was a great experience being able to train in the Super REX environment. All the players created a challenging and fun environment. It was also great to see players coming in from different provinces. Overall, this past weekend was great and I’m so glad to have been apart of it." Shabona Niazi.
“I consider myself very lucky to have gotten to train with the Super REX girls last weekend. They were all so welcoming when I first arrived to the field and did their best to make me feel comfortable and welcomed. They also wouldn’t hesitate to answer any questions I had during the training sessions and would give me tips on how I could improve my playing. The coaches were also very nice and would give me feedback and tips through out the sessions so that I could become better. After having trained in a high intensity program with so many great coaches and players who weren’t afraid to challenge me, I learned a lot and am becoming a better player because of it.” Sana Karam
University and College Soccer Update
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the University of Regina Cougars were both represented in the quarterfinals of Women’s Canada West Soccer action this past weekend. In Men’s Soccer, Lakeland College Rustlers in Lloydminster finished their season in a strong position.
The U of S Huskies hosted the Calgary Dino’s in a 0-0 draw in Women’s soccer action at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. Following a scoreless extra time, the U of S Huskies won 3-2 on penalties and will advance to the Canada West semifinals. Trinity Western University in Langley will host the U of S Huskies on Friday Nov. 5 at 5:30 Saskatchewan time. The winner will advance to the Canada West semifinals, and play for a chance at the Canadian U Sports Championship Final. The Huskies Women’s Soccer Team was recently featured in this CTV News story.
The University of Regina Cougars travelled to Vancouver to face the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in another Women’s Canada West Soccer showdown. Things didn’t go as planned for the U of R Cougars as they ended their season with a 5-0 loss. However, coach Astrid Baecker had some great things to say about the U of R squad.
"You can't help but take a step back and look at what this group accomplished this season and simply be proud. I wish that every single player could see themselves through our eyes and see how proud we are of them. There is something truly special about this experience we had with this group of dedicated athletes over the past couple of months. We have a senior group of athletes that turned into mentors and have set the standards of what it takes to compete at this level, and they have passed on our team culture, expectations and values to the next generation."
Lakeland College in Lloydminster has competed well in the Alberta College’s Athletics Conference, reaching the Men’s bronze medal match this past weekend against the Red Deer Kings. Saskatoon's Hani Tekheste, who was recently named to the Male All Conference Team scored for the Lakeland College Rustlers. The game ended 2-2, however Lakeland would fall short in a shootout with Red Deer Kings taking the bronze medal.
Soccer success for former SSA REX program athletes
Two former Saskatchewan Soccer Association REX program athletes are enjoying successful seasons in university soccer.
Tia Schaffer of Saskatoon was named as the Ontario Tech University Female Athlete of the Week for her role on the pitch with the Ridgebacks. Schaffer, who studies Kinesiology and plays fullback, starred in a key role in both her teams’ victories on the weekend against Trent Excalibur.
Madison Goertz of Saskatoon was named as the University of New Brunswick Female Athlete of the Week. She scored both UNB REDS goals in a key 2-1 victory over Moncton on the weekend. Goertz, a Science-Mathematics student hopes to lead her team to the to the Atlantic University Sport playoffs.
Futsal at Saskatchewan Winter Games
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SK Referees Appointments for National Competitions
Four Saskatchewan Elite Referee Program (SERP) referees have been appointed to upcoming National Competitions.
Shukwia Tajik will travel to Toronto for the CCAA Women’s Soccer Championship hosted by Humber College, November 10-13.
Vitalii Oliinichenko and Theo Diederichsen have been appointed to the CCAA Men’s Soccer Championship hosted by SAIT Calgary, November 10-13.
Nicole Rapin will officiate at the U Sports Women’s Soccer Championship hosted by Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia, November 18-21.
We are proud of our Saskatchewan referees and wish them all a great performance!
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers in Edmonton
Team Canada is calling for a huge crowd in a sea of red at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton for the upcoming World Cup Qualification matches. Kicking off the two-match set at 7PM MT on Friday 12 November, Canada will face Costa Rica. Then on Tuesday November 16 at 7PM MT, the first-place team in the CONCACAF qualification standings, Mexico will battle Canada.
This is a rare opportunity to see soccer played at this level on the Prairies. Tickets for these highly anticipated events go on sale to the general public this Friday 22 October at 10AM Saskatchewan time. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca here: Canada Tickets | Single Game Tickets & Schedule | Ticketmaster.ca
Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Program - Registration Opens For 2022
Canada Soccer B, Children’s and Youth, and Youth-Goalkeeping Licence programs to be available in January 2022.
Canada Soccer has opened registration for its 2022 Advanced Coach Education Program. Candidates are required to hold a Canada Soccer C Licence at minimum to be eligible for the Advanced Coach Education Program courses. The 2022 Coach Education Program is delivered online with synchronous and asynchronous modules that require a reliable high-speed internet connection. On-field, practical sessions required to complete the coursework are conducted via video review.
Canada Soccer’s Coach Education Program consists of the Grassroots Coach Education Program that certifies coaches as having completed the age and stage training appropriate for the players they’re working with, and the Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Program that provides coaches with the Canada Soccer Children’s, Youth, Youth-Goalkeeping, C, B, and A Licence award at the completion of their training.
For more information on the Canada Soccer Coach Education Program, please visit: www.canadasoccer.com/coach
Each week visit Everyone’s Game Resource Centre on our weekly communication to find informational and inspirational articles, member interviews, and developmental opportunities.
Educational Resource:
Making #HERstory: Girls who play on boys’ teams and supporting the lone girl in sport - https://sirc.ca/blog/making-herstory/
How Parents Can Empower Their Kids in Sports: a 1-hour event taking place every few weeks, the series covers six topics related to the impact of parents and coaches on young athletes. Click on the button below to visit the event page, where you can see the details and sign up today: https://www.fortheloveofthegame.ca/empowering-kids-in-sport
SSA Calendar of Events & Deadlines
Recordings of past webinars and COVID-19 member calls can be found on our YouTube Channel.
See our full Calendar of Events on our website.
November 7: Indoor Registration and Fees Deadline - for all registrations received up to and including October 31
November 9: Coach Education
November 15: SSA Vaccination Policy comes into effect
November 23: Member Bylaw Consult
November 30: Referee Member Session
November 30: Deadline to Register for Canada Soccer Advanced Coach Education Programs
December 15:
- Indoor Registration and Fees - for all registrations received Nov 1 - Dec 8
February 20-26: Saskatchewan Winter Games
March 19: SSA Annual General Meeting
BE SAFE! BE THE SOLUTION!
As a reminder, please continue to take care of yourself, your families, and others.
| We encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
