To: All SSA Member Organizations

 

BE SAFE! BE THE SOLUTION! 

  

Saskatchewan Soccer and member organizations continue to adhere to all Government of Saskatchewan Public Health Orders regarding the COVID 19 pandemic. 

The Return to Soccer Plan and Return to Soccer FAQ have been updated.

 

This week, SSA facilitated a meeting with representatives from the Business Response Team (BRT), Sask Health, the Ministry of Parks, Culture & Sport, Sask Sport and fall/winter contact sports to gain further clarity on sport guidelines. The meeting was productive, and we appreciated the opportunity to speak directly to senior leaders at BRT and Health. SSA, and our sport colleagues, received praise for bringing all parties together and a commitment was made to host additional meetings in the future.

 

Below are the updates that we can share at this time. We made progress in several key areas; however, Members should be aware that this information is subject to change at any time. 

During the meeting, significant discussions also occurred about the intent of the guidelines to keep participants and the public safe and the need to stay true to and maintain this intent in all our decision making:

Whenever possible we should limit the number of people we come in contact with, in our daily lives, including within sport.

Whenever possible we should stay close to home, limiting travel and thus contact and exposure.

With school opening it is likely COVID numbers will spike and therefore everyone is being asked to be more diligent and to adhere to all safety precautions, or the government may be required to reinstate increased restrictions to keep numbers low.

Member Organizations, facility operators, and participants carry the liability for their Return to Play decisions.  As such it is incumbent on everyone to make informed decisions and assess risk before taking action. Although a decision may not be prohibited in the guidelines, the decision may still not be in the best interest of your participants and your organization. 

 

For example: While the news about being involved in more than one mini league within soccer may be a pleasant surprise, we would strongly encourage each Member to assess the significantly increased risk that this decision would place on your organization.  Ultimately the Member Organization is responsible for providing a safe environment for its participants. By allowing more people into more mini leagues you risk their safety and, if there is an exposure, you will need to shut down multiple groups. The risk of the spread of COVID increases exponentially with every contact a person has.  By maintaining access to only one mini league your organization and your participants are safer.

 

We are aware that the sport guidelines are currently under review and understand that once school starts many things may change.  Sport has a role to play in keeping our communities safe since we collectively impact so many people.  So be prudent in all decision making. 

 

Should you have any questions about the updates noted above we encourage you to contact the BRT: 1-844-800-8688 or supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca.  Please report any new information to Nicole Drozda, Coordinator of Member Services.

The next Member Discussion is Tuesday, September 8th at 8:00 PM - Click here to register.

 

All Member Discussion recordings are available on our YouTube Channel.

 

The MAP Grant Follow-up deadline is September 30th at midnight.

 

We know this year has been financially difficult for some Member Organizations, and therefore we want to ensure that all SSA Member Organizations maximize their MAP Grant Funding. If your organization is unable to complete your project(s) due to COVID, you can revise your project on your MAP Grant Application. Additions can also be made to your MAP Grant Application for expenses due to COVID (PPE, cleaning supplies, etc.). Please note, these revisions will not increase the funding total, but rather the eligible projects to spend funding on.  All revisions are subject to approval and must be submitted by email by September 15^th.

 

Follow-up resources are available on our website, including a pre-recorded 6 minute webinar detailing the follow-up process and best practices (please note, webinar was recorded before COVID and does not include COVID concessions).

 

MAP web page on the SSA Website - Includes recorded webinar, Follow-up Guide, and link to MAP Grant Policy

MAP Grant Population Based Funding Follow-up Form

MAP Grant Special Project Funding Follow-up Form

 

To be eligible for MAP Grant Funding, Member Organizations must be in good standing on the follow-up deadline (i.e. have no debts outstanding).

 

We are available to assist you with your follow-up process. If you have any questions, or require any support please contact Nicole Drozda by September 25^th. We encourage you to reach out early, as we may not have the ability offer support close to or on the follow-up deadline date.

 

 

The Outdoor 2020 registration deadline is September 30. The deadline includes all registrations for players, coaches and officials received during the outdoor season.

 

It is critical that you submit the completed Registrar Report and fees no later than September 30. The amended registration fees and Registrar Report are available on the SSA website. If you have any questions, contact registrar@sasksoccer.com.

September 19-27 is National Coaches Week and one of the ways the Coaches Association of Saskatchewan will be celebrating is by offering free NCCP courses.

 

Registration information for all courses can be found on the CAS website and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Don’t delay and sign-up! Note: Some of these workshops have sold out!

 

 

Anyone interested can register here.

 

In July SSA announced the development of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. An invite was sent out to our member organizations asking for leaders to represent SSA’s diverse community and have a voice in designing and implementing an inclusion strategy.

 

We received 11 responses from individuals across our province, on Tuesday September 1, we sat down with them to discuss what this group means and what can we do to develop a better soccer environment for everyone.

 

Thank you to the individuals who joined us on Tuesday to assist with the formation of this group. As the group is currently in the development stages more work still needs to be done.  Our focus is on sustainable change that will create more welcoming environments for all.  We look forward to working with this group to build a long-term plan to better our soccer community for all.

 

If your member organization is looking for additional resources to develop a more inclusive environment check out the Member Strategies and Coach Resources page.

 

SSA Calendar of Events & Deadlines

Recordings of past webinars and COVID 19 member calls can be found on our YouTube Channel.

Effective Communication - October 29