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SSA Information Release - Survey Strategy, Member Consultations & More
2018-06-26
Enhancing our listening capabilities, Member Consultation, Sterling Backcheck, 2019 AGM Details, and more!
Enhancing our Listening Capabilities
SSA is committed to a planning-driven system for soccer development and as such, data acquisition is critical to informing the planning process. To that end, we are pleased to introduce an advanced system of satisfaction and performance data acquisition in 2018 and beyond. Hearing from members on an ongoing basis is essential for the Association to plot its progress against targets laid out in our strategic plan.
"As outlined at our annual member conference this past March, we will be taking a routine, standardized approach to gathering feedback from our participants and organizations. Our staff strive to develop and offer many programs, clinics, events and competitions, and services, and it is essential that these activities provide value to and strengthen our members and contribute to the development of soccer in the province" - Doug Pederson, SSA Executive Director
This summer, we will begin implementing a series of structured surveys, aimed at gathering core satisfaction data and other feedback from members and program participants. The results of the surveys will be analysed to assess the effectiveness of the Association's activities at the SSA and Member level, allowing changes to be made based on clear, objective data. The results will outline what soccer genuinely needs to grow and be effective, and will support aligned planning at the provincial and member level.
Online surveys will be routinely issued to participants at all SSA competitions, events, clinics (coaching and referee) and other soccer development and outreach events. Broader surveys assessing the development of soccer in the community, the value of SSA membership and why soccer participants may choose to leave the game will be conducted annually. Furthermore surveys will be also geared to the SSA's new player pathway, assessing the implementation and effectiveness of the four core development streams - community (formerly recreational), grassroots, competitive and high performance.
"The Board is proud to make this investment which will ensure this system of long term satisfaction data collection is put in place. Not only does this ensure accountability back to our membership, it also helps the Board of Directors to take a more defined, structured approach to overseeing the implementation of the Association's strategic plan and the evolving state of soccer in Saskatchewan at large" - Lisa Bagonluri, SSA President
We will be moving beyond simple 'what did you think' type questions to delve deeper and build response sets over years that we can analyse longitudinally. We believe this will be a significant value-add and will support our members while increasing our collective capacity to connect with and understand our participants.
"It will take a bit of time to see emerging trends, but by working in partnership with Members, we believe we can be more in tune with changes that are occurring and ultimately be better at targeting our activities to where we can add value to soccer in Saskatchewan." - Pederson
With World Cup coming, along with Canadian Premier League, soccer will be in the limelight for the foreseeable future. Our task collectively is to align our efforts to ensure that we take advantage of this unprecedented exposure to build a brighter future for the game.
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Member Consultation
Currently soccer is experiencing a substantive decline in registration and this is data we cannot ignore. In fall 2018, SSA will host a member summit on growing the game. The declining numbers we are seeing for Outdoor 2018 are another wake-up call which is being heard across Canada. We are developing details for a consultation where we can work closely with Membership large and small, urban and rural, to discuss what is occurring and align our efforts to turn this trend around. Details will follow in future communications.
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Added Value
It is important that we continue to add value to enhance programming and we are pleased to announce additional value-add options to support our Members.
Respect in Sport Parents & Make It Official
In 2018, SSA will be launching a Saskatchewan Soccer Respect in Sport Parents Platform.
One of the most common reasons coaches, managers, officials and athletes, of all ages, cite for leaving sport is unacceptable parent behaviour. The Respect in Sport Parent Program will help define a standard of behaviour for all parents and create a more rewarding, safe and respectful environment for everyone involved. Parents want to do a great job supporting their kids. Respect in Sport provides parents with the tools to do just that.
Additionally, SSA is working closely with Sask Sport to develop a "Make it Official" strategy to address Strategic Priority # 16: "Create a respectful game time environment for referees".
Further details on SSA's Respect in Parents Platform and Make if Official will be released prior to the indoor season.
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Sterling Back Check
SSA understands the process of obtaining a criminal record can be time consuming and inconvenient for volunteers, and in an effort to remedy this, we will be launching SterlingBackCheck in 2018.
SterlingBackCheck provides sport organizations a convenient, and secure online process to obtain Enhanced Police Information Checks (E-PICs) for their coaches, administrators, and volunteers. An E-PIC combines a search of the National Repository of Criminal Records in Canada and a search of Local Police Information within multiple databanks.
Benefits of using this program are outlined in the chart below.
Furthermore, SSA Member Organizations will be able to electronically track the E-PIC progress of their volunteers/staff. Flexible payment options are available, based on the specific needs of the Member Organization: volunteer online payment, organization paid and invoiced, or a combination of both.
Details on SterlingBackCheck will follow in a future communication.
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New forms of Soccer
Waking Soccer will help you keep one foot on the ground at all times. Geared to participants in the game who want to remain active throughout their lifetime, or for folks new to the game that want to enhance their fitness - we encourage Membership to consider adding Walking Soccer to their program line up. Beach soccer and Futsal are also welcome additions. Further details on these programs, their policies and future fee structures are being developed.
_______________________________________________
SSA is committed to a planning-driven system for soccer development and as such, data acquisition is critical to informing the planning process. To that end, we are pleased to introduce an advanced system of satisfaction and performance data acquisition in 2018 and beyond. Hearing from members on an ongoing basis is essential for the Association to plot its progress against targets laid out in our strategic plan.
"As outlined at our annual member conference this past March, we will be taking a routine, standardized approach to gathering feedback from our participants and organizations. Our staff strive to develop and offer many programs, clinics, events and competitions, and services, and it is essential that these activities provide value to and strengthen our members and contribute to the development of soccer in the province" - Doug Pederson, SSA Executive Director
This summer, we will begin implementing a series of structured surveys, aimed at gathering core satisfaction data and other feedback from members and program participants. The results of the surveys will be analysed to assess the effectiveness of the Association's activities at the SSA and Member level, allowing changes to be made based on clear, objective data. The results will outline what soccer genuinely needs to grow and be effective, and will support aligned planning at the provincial and member level.
"By enhancing our listening capabilities we will become participant centred; when we work collectively to meet people needs through positive experiences in soccer our participants will remain active long term" - Pederson
Online surveys will be routinely issued to participants at all SSA competitions, events, clinics (coaching and referee) and other soccer development and outreach events. Broader surveys assessing the development of soccer in the community, the value of SSA membership and why soccer participants may choose to leave the game will be conducted annually. Furthermore surveys will be also geared to the SSA's new player pathway, assessing the implementation and effectiveness of the four core development streams - community (formerly recreational), grassroots, competitive and high performance.
"The Board is proud to make this investment which will ensure this system of long term satisfaction data collection is put in place. Not only does this ensure accountability back to our membership, it also helps the Board of Directors to take a more defined, structured approach to overseeing the implementation of the Association's strategic plan and the evolving state of soccer in Saskatchewan at large" - Lisa Bagonluri, SSA President
"It will take a bit of time to see emerging trends, but by working in partnership with Members, we believe we can be more in tune with changes that are occurring and ultimately be better at targeting our activities to where we can add value to soccer in Saskatchewan." - Pederson
_______________________________________________
Member Consultation
Currently soccer is experiencing a substantive decline in registration and this is data we cannot ignore. In fall 2018, SSA will host a member summit on growing the game. The declining numbers we are seeing for Outdoor 2018 are another wake-up call which is being heard across Canada. We are developing details for a consultation where we can work closely with Membership large and small, urban and rural, to discuss what is occurring and align our efforts to turn this trend around. Details will follow in future communications.
_____________________________________________
Added Value
It is important that we continue to add value to enhance programming and we are pleased to announce additional value-add options to support our Members.
Respect in Sport Parents & Make It Official
One of the most common reasons coaches, managers, officials and athletes, of all ages, cite for leaving sport is unacceptable parent behaviour. The Respect in Sport Parent Program will help define a standard of behaviour for all parents and create a more rewarding, safe and respectful environment for everyone involved. Parents want to do a great job supporting their kids. Respect in Sport provides parents with the tools to do just that.
Additionally, SSA is working closely with Sask Sport to develop a "Make it Official" strategy to address Strategic Priority # 16: "Create a respectful game time environment for referees".
Further details on SSA's Respect in Parents Platform and Make if Official will be released prior to the indoor season.
_______________________________________________
Sterling Back Check
SSA understands the process of obtaining a criminal record can be time consuming and inconvenient for volunteers, and in an effort to remedy this, we will be launching SterlingBackCheck in 2018.
SterlingBackCheck provides sport organizations a convenient, and secure online process to obtain Enhanced Police Information Checks (E-PICs) for their coaches, administrators, and volunteers. An E-PIC combines a search of the National Repository of Criminal Records in Canada and a search of Local Police Information within multiple databanks.
Benefits of using this program are outlined in the chart below.
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Furthermore, SSA Member Organizations will be able to electronically track the E-PIC progress of their volunteers/staff. Flexible payment options are available, based on the specific needs of the Member Organization: volunteer online payment, organization paid and invoiced, or a combination of both.
Details on SterlingBackCheck will follow in a future communication.
_______________________________________________
New forms of Soccer
Waking Soccer will help you keep one foot on the ground at all times. Geared to participants in the game who want to remain active throughout their lifetime, or for folks new to the game that want to enhance their fitness - we encourage Membership to consider adding Walking Soccer to their program line up. Beach soccer and Futsal are also welcome additions. Further details on these programs, their policies and future fee structures are being developed.
_______________________________________________
2019 Annual General Meeting Information
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association Annual General Meeting and Member Sessions will be in Regina, Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, March 24, 2019.
Mark your Calendars!
Inquiries regarding this communication can be directed to Doug Pederson, Executive Director of SSA at dpederson@sasksoccer.com.