Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) is the governing body for soccer (Association Football) in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The association was formed in 1905.
Soccer has always played an integral part in Saskatchewan's history. When the European colonists came to Saskatchewan in the late 1800s, they brought the sport with them. 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, Saskatchewan on Good Friday in 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, Saskatchewan, 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 several 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 gaining popularity throughout the province. It was no longer strictly confined to the main provincial centers, and was being played by a greater variety of players in all sections of the province. Towns and cities started discovering the wonderful game of soccer, and thus engaged in a love affair that continued 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.
The following organizations are members of the Saskatchewan Soccer Association [1]
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]
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2020 | Leslie Blyth |
| 2021 | Leonard Lewko |
