October 7 - Member Update

VISION: Soccer enriches people's lives and builds strong relationships.

OUR MISSION: To develop great people and connect healthy communities through lifelong participation in soccer.

 

Saskatchewan Soccer Association is a participant-centred organization; and, aligning with our Vision and Mission, we are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all participants.

 

Effective Nov. 15, 2021, to participate in any in-person activity, organized and under the authority of the provincial office, SSA Staff, SSA Board and/or volunteers acting on behalf of the SSA, all participants must provide proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or a negative Covid-19 test.

 

While this policy does not extend to Member Organization delivered activities, SSA recommends all Member Organizations adopt similar policies to protect the health and safety of their members and community at large. We respect that local Boards are in the best position to understand the needs of their members, circumstances of their community and any requirements of their municipality and/or facility operators. Furthermore, local Boards are responsible to be fully aware of the complexities of managing soccer during a pandemic and prepared to embrace their responsibilities to execute and maintain the standards necessary to keep participants safe. This is best done when decisions are made locally, after careful consideration by each Member Organization.

 

SSA COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: This policy is in effect as of Nov. 15, and remains in effect until further notice, for: 

 

SSA organized In-Person activities including, but not limited to, camps, clinics, practices, try-out events, evaluations, promotional events, tournaments, competitions, and championships, in-person education sessions and meetings.

All athletes, team personnel, officials, staff, volunteers, and SSA representatives aged 12 and OVER.

Masking requirements, as per the current Public Health Orders (PHO), must also be followed at all times.

 

Definitions

 

Section 1 (ii) “Fully-Vaccinated”, with respect to an individual who resides in Saskatchewan or who resides in another jurisdiction, means that:

 

1) the individual has received the recommended number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, or combination of Covid-19 vaccines, approved by Health Canada; and

2) 14 or more days have passed since the individual received the last of the recommended number of doses.

 

Section 1 (i) Covid-19 test:

means any of the following paid tests administered at a testing site approved by the Minister of Health, as posted on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.

 

1) a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2;

2) a point-of-care antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 by an approved third-party testing facility.

 

See Government of Saskatchewan’s website for current approved testing facilities.

 

Section 1 (iv) Personal Identification means one of the following: 

 

1) A government of (Saskatchewan or other) issued identifications card including, a driver’s licence, health card, passport, birth certificate, or 

2) a copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of Indian Status,

3) a Metis Nation Saskatchewan citizenship and identification card,

4) or any form of identification, issued by a government of any jurisdiction, that includes a photograph of the holder.

 

Proof of Negative Covid-19 Test - all individuals, including those claiming exemptions on medical, religious or other grounds, that are 12 & over, that are not fully vaccinated shall provide proof of a Negative Covid-19 test acquired from an acceptable source within 72 hours prior to event time, verified with photo identification. Children under 12 are exempt. Testing to be done at the participant’s expense. Please note that test results may be delayed based on increased demand.

 

Privacy - privacy of personal medical information must always be respected; information will be reviewed to allow entry into that event only and as such is not stored or shared for any other purpose.

 

Compliance - Individuals attempting to gain access to SSA activities by providing false attestations or fraudulent documentation put the health and safety of participants and organizers into question and shall be subject to immediate suspension from all SSA activities, province wide, pending a hearing. 

 

Impact of Other Policy - municipalities, facility operators, other governing authorities may have policies in effect that must be followed in addition to SSA COVID-19 policy. 

 

SSA will continue to follow all other public health orders and recommendations as set out by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Government of Saskatchewan. This policy shall remain in effect until such time as current Public Health Orders are removed and it is safe to participate without COVID protocols in place. The words, conditions & terms outlined herein are subject to change without notice and in all cases SSA shall refer to Public Health Orders or Sask Health guidelines for further clarity. SSA will provide updates as when new information arises.

 

For other resources check out the SSA COVID Resource Page. ADD COVID SEPARATE POLICY PAGE

 

For information on this communication check our FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS! or contact cms@sasksoccer.com. 

 

Saskatchewan Soccer Highschool Student Coach Credit Program

We are very excited to announce that the Saskatchewan Soccer Highschool Student Coach Credit Program has been approved by the Ministry of Education. We can now provide a program for Student Coaches to accumulate High School Level 10, 20 and 30 credit through Coaching within their local member organization.

 

The purpose of the program is to provide the framework and opportunity for student athletes to not only begin giving back to their communities, but also get them started on their own Coaching development pathway.

 

The program focuses on the student completing the Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education Programs and gaining valuable practical experience through coaching within the local soccer community.

 

Students in grades 10 through 12 wishing to apply for this program can do so by contacting Markus Reinkens at m.reinkens@sasksoccer.com.

Saskatchewan Soccer Association is excited to announce the second Female Mentorship Program (FMP) 2021-22. After a successful first year, and positive impact on the participants, year two will build off the foundation developed in year one.

 

“We are excited to continue the Female Mentorship Program. The goals of the program remains the same; to support, mentor and continue to provide opportunity to female participants who are coaches, referees, board members or organizers within soccer. The FMP promotes SSA’s Everyone’s Game values to ensure all of our participants have access to equitable opportunity, which works to enhance leadership in our sport.”- Eden Senger

 

There are 21 participants for the 2021-2022 program that have a diverse set of experiences in and out of soccer. FMP Participants will engage in a series of workshops as well as complete individualized tasks for their growth. Please join us in welcoming our year two participants.

 Futsal

We are pleased to announce that the following Coaches and Managers have been appointed to the 2022 Sask Winter Games Futsal teams. 

 

The final match of the FIFA Futsal World Cup took place on Sunday October 3 at the Kaunas Arena in Lithuania. Portugal are the new champions after defeating the defending Futsal World Cup Champions Argentina 2-1. The next edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup will be held in 2024 at a location to be determined. Check out the highlights from the FIFA Futsal World Cup Final match on YouTube.

 

In huge news for prairie soccer fans, it was recently announced that Edmonton will be the venue for Canada’s next round of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in November. On Friday November 12, Canada will host Costa Rica in Commonwealth Stadium for an evening kickoff. On Tuesday November 16, Canada will host Mexico for another evening match at Commonwealth. Here's a recent article about this from CTV.

 

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

SSA is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of a maximum of up to 12 Directors. The SSA is committed to having a Board comprised of talented and dedicated directors with a diverse mix of experience, expertise, skills, and backgrounds that reflects the diverse nature of the environment in which SSA operates.

 

The Nominations Committee invites nominations for six available positions in 2022. All individuals with a desire and expertise to make a contribution to the growth of the Association are welcome.

 

The SSA Board of Directors has developed a process to recruit Board candidates that is open and transparent. The process works as follows:

 

1)  A Nomination Form (Fillable PDF) is completed by the Nominator. (Please note: Download a version of the Fillable PDF document onto your own desktop, prior to filling out the form)

 

2)  Nominees will complete a Director-Candidate Information (Fillable PDF) form which confirms their acceptance of the nomination and details their background, education and experience to support their Nomination. (Please note: Download a version of the Fillable PDF document onto your own desktop, prior to filling out the form)

 

PLEASE NOTE: Both documents must be received by the Chair of the SSA Nominations Committee by the DEADLINE: December 15, 2021.

 

Our Annual General Meeting will be held, March 19, 2022.

 

If you have any questions about the nomination process, please do not hesitate to contact Acting Chair of Nominations, Kelly Rawlings by email Kelly.rawlings@usask.ca.

 

For full details read more in a Message from the Acting Chair of Nominations, Kelly Rawlings

The Annual General Meeting will be held March 19, 2022. In preparation, the SSA Board annually hosts a bylaw consultation to consider potential amendments. Should your organization wish to submit any amendments, please provide a completed Bylaw Amendment form, with rationale, and submit to ea@sasksoccer.com by Oct. 29, 2021. 

 

Amendments have been proposed by the SSA Board of Directors and are available for review at this time. Proposed Amendments.

 

Once received all amendments will be circulated to voting members for their consideration. SSA will then host a meeting as part of our November Member Sessions (online - date & details TBD). This process provides 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. In order to meet the requirements of the Non-Profit Act 1995 final amendments must be received by Dec. 15, 2021 to be considered at the AGM.

Do you know someone that goes above and beyond, on or off the field? SSA extends the invitation to nominate players, teams, coaches, referees, and volunteers that exemplify the Values, Vision, and Mission of the organization! Award nominees and winners will be celebrated during the Recognition Celebration, date to be announced.

 

The deadline to submit nomination forms for the Saskatchewan Soccer Association Technical and Recognition Awards is on December 15^th.

 

To submit a nomination and for further information about the Awards and Recognition process, please visit the SSA website or email: cms@sasksoccer.com.

 

Read more about the SSA Awards Information and Criteria 2021.

 

This week is an opportunity to celebrate the parents and guardians that support youth sport participation. Learn more on how you can show your appreciation for our athletes parents and guardians: https://sirc.ca/knowledge_nuggets/parents-in-sport-week-2/

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. 

October 21: Canada Games Coaching Applications close

November 15: SSA Vaccination Policy comes into effect

March 19: SSA Annual General Meeting