Saskatchewan Soccer Association
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Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) is the governing body for soccer (Association Football) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The association was formed in 1905.
History of Soccer in Saskatchewan
Soccer has always played an integral part in Saskatchewan's history. When the European immigrants came to Saskatchewan in the late 1800s, soccer came with them and the first game was played in Prince Albert on June 28, 1889. The greatest indicator of expansion was the formation of the Saskatchewan Soccer Association; The Saskatchewan Soccer Association was formed in Grenfell on Good Friday 1906. A number of exhibition matches against teams from Britain, combined with inner-city matches and the annual match between those of English and those of Scottish heritage in Saskatoon, helped keep soccer in the provincial spotlight.
The greatest indicator of the prosperity of Saskatchewan soccer came with a new wave of participation during the 1950s and then in the 1960s with the inclusion of Saskatchewan teams in the newly formed Western Canadian Soccer League. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Saskatchewan soccer experienced continual expansion. This soccer boom was prevalent in a number of communities such as Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and Yorkton; these good times were based on the youth movement, and to a lesser extent, immigration.
Adding further variety to Saskatchewan soccer during the 1970s and 1980s was the development of women's soccer. Female teams were established at all age levels and star players emerged. There was also an increase in female involvement off the playing field as more women became involved in coaching, officiating and administering the game.
The Regional Training Centre was opened in Saskatoon in 1986 and it has been utilized for a number of teams, including the Western Canada Games team in 1987, the Canada Summer Games team in 1989, the Women's All-Stars and the University of Saskatchewan teams.
By the end of the 1980s, soccer was growing in popularity throughout the province. No longer strictly found in the main provincial centers, soccer was played in all sections of the province by a greater variety of players. Towns and cities began to discover the wonderful game of soccer, engaging in a love affair that would continue into the next century.
During the 1990s soccer became an all year round sport as multimillion-dollar facilities were built throughout Saskatchewan. Soccer centers could be found in Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton and Lloydminster.
More indoor soccer facilities were built in Warman and Moose Jaw in the first decade of the 21st century, and registrations increased to over 42,000 players participating in the sport of Soccer in 2013. The organization's staff has increased in size to ten full-time employees making it the largest provincial sporting governing body in employees and participants.
The SSA operates the Saskatchewan Premier Soccer League: the highest level of amateur soccer competition in the province. Furthermore, it operates, in partnership with Lakeland College and the Meridian Youth Soccer Association (Lloydminster), The Rivers West Centre of Excellence.
The SSA is a member organization of the national sport governing body, the Canadian Soccer Association.
Regular members
The following organizations are members of the Saskatchewan Soccer Association [1]
- Astra Soccer Academy
- Battlefords Youth Soccer
- Battlefords Senior Soccer Association
- Briercrest College and Seminary
- Broadview Soccer
- Canora Soccer
- Choiceland Soccer
- Dundurn Community Association
- Esterhazy Soccer
- Estevan Senior Soccer Association
- Estevan Youth Soccer Association
- Futbol Club Regina
- Grenfell Soccer
- Humboldt and District Soccer Association
- Ile a la Crosse Friendship Centre
- JJ Soccer
- Kindersley Minor Soccer Association
- Kipling Soccer
- La Loche Minor Sports
- Lac La Ronge Tri-Community Soccer Association
- Langenburg United Soccer Organization
- Lanigan & District Soccer
- Lloydminster & District Soccer Association
- Meadow Lake Senior Soccer
- Meadow Lake & District Youth Soccer
- Melfort Youth Soccer Association
- Melville Soccer
- Meridian Youth Soccer Association
- Montmartre Soccer
- Moose Jaw Youth Soccer Association
- Moose Mountain Soccer
- Moosomin Soccer
- Nipawin Indoor Soccer
- Nipawin Outdoor Soccer
- Oxbow Soccer
- Poundmaker Youth Soccer
- Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association
- Prince Albert Senior Soccer Association
- Qu'Appelle Valley Soccer Association
- Queen City United Soccer
- Redvers Soccer Club
- Rocanville Soccer
- Rosetown Soccer Association
- Saskatoon Adult Soccer Inc
- Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc.
- Shaunavon Soccer
- Springside Minor Sports
- Stoughton Soccer Club
- Swift Current Soccer Association
- TDSoccer
- Tisdale Soccer
- Town of Eston
- Valley Soccer Association
- Vibank Soccer
- Watson Minor Sports
- Watrous and District Association
- Wawota Soccer
- Weyburn Soccer Association
- Whitewood Soccer
- Wolseley Soccer
- Wynyard Soccer
- Yorkton Soccer Association
Associate members
- Phantom Lake Soccer Club, MB
- Regina Referees Association
- Saskatoon & District Referees Association
- University of Regina
- University of Saskatchewan
David Newsham Award Winners
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) also recognizes participants (coaches, athletes, referees, volunteers, etc.) in sport of soccer on an annual basis. The premier award for dedication to the sport of soccer in the province of Saskatchewan is the David Newsham Award.
David Newsham was an athlete and leader in the Saskatchewan soccer community and was instrumental in the development of soccer in the province of Saskatchewan.
The David Newsham Award, is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer service to the sport of soccer as well as an outstanding effort as well as dedication in their role as a coach, administrator or official.
David Newsham Award Winners by Year[2]
- 1985 Henk Ruys
- 1986 Doug Knott
- 1987 Cedric Gillott
- 1988 Raymond Jones
- 1989 Hank Koopman
- 1990 Bill Kerr
- 1991 Not Awarded
- 1992 Ross Wilson
- 1993 Klaas Post
- 1994 Paul Caves
- 1995 David Herbert
- 1996 Ken Billows
- 1997 Andy Sharpe
- 1998 Ed Horn
- 1999 David Jenkins
- 2000 Tom Wieclawski
- 2001 Al Day
- 2002 Bob Maltman
- 2003 Dale Perry
- 2004 Percy Hoff
- 2005 Bob Rohachuk
- 2006 Jim Nicholson
- 2007 Esther Dupperon
- 2008 Bruce Cowan
- 2009 John Leyshon
- 2010 Rob Newman
- 2011 Brett Mario
- 2012 Huw Morris
- 2013 David Jenkins
- 2014 Jeannette Kuc
- 2015 Don Findlay
- 2016 Mark Lord
- 2017 Rob Kroeker
- 2018 Gord Quinlan
- 2019 Hung Tan Duong