Saskatchewan Soccer Association - History of Soccer in Saskatchewan

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 multi-million 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 35,000 players participating in the sport of Soccer in 2012. 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.