About

The Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) is the multi-sport organizing body for high school sport in the province. We are a provincially registered not-for-profit organization. The membership of the Association includes boards of education, conseils scolaire, independent schools registered with the Ministry of Education, and First Nations education authorities. Comprised of 27 school divisions, 16 independent schools, and 52 First Nations schools, there are over 350 high schools in the province and part of our Association.

Our Mission

To provide educational opportunities through school sport.

Our Vision

The SHSAA will be respected as an integral partner in the development of students within the education sector.

Member of School Sport Canada (SSC)

The SHSAA is a Member of School Sport Canada (SSC). SSC is the national body for school sport in Canada. SSC member associations and schools promote and advocate for positive sportsmanship, citizenship, and the total development of student-athletes through interscholastic sport.

SHSAA Values

Student-Athlete Welfare
The SHSAA is committed to amateurism, student-athlete welfare, diversity, sportsmanship, and fair-play within an ethical framework.  This will be reflected in every aspect of the athletic administrative operations and decisions.

Fair Competition
The competition among teams in SHSAA activities ensures that each participating team has opportunity to advance through the playoff structure for that activity and achieve the educational goals of school sport.

Personal Development
Student-athletes, coaches, and officials are encouraged to develop an active, healthy lifestyle in a competitive and respectful environment while contributing positively to achievement of the social, personal, and citizenship goals of education.

Celebration of Excellence
The overriding purpose of SHSAA programming is to celebrate school team and student-athlete success, participation, and demonstration of the benefits and qualities of sportsmanship. Every effort is made to recognize each of these benefits of high school athletic competition.

Equity of Access
SHSAA will endeavour to provide equity of access to participation across the province.

Provincial Championship Program Goals

The SHSAA plans and coordinates all playoffs leading to the provincial championships. Districts and school divisions plan and coordinate interschool athletic competitions and organize and support playoffs at the school division and SHSAA district level as proposed by the SHSAA.

Playoffs
The advancement of student-athletes and school teams to a provincial championship is by a series of playoff competitions. It is generally given that playoffs leading to the provincial championship may include playoffs at the school, school division, SHSAA district or conference, regional, and provincial final levels. The number of meaningful and manageable playoffs necessary to eliminate to the provincial final event will determine the number of levels and sequence of playoffs.

Efficient Scheduling
The scheduling of all playoffs must respect ‘instructional time in the classroom’; however, it is also acknowledged that there is great educational value derived from participation in competitive playoffs leading to the provincial championship. Considering the unique aspects of each sport, it is inevitable that some classroom instructional time will be directed into the athletic opportunities for student-athletes. Playoffs leading to the provincial championship should respect economic implications, travel time, and absence from school.

Consistent Application
The program goals and SHSAA approved structures, including the classification structure for team sport and the playoff structure leading to the provincial championship, are applied consistently across all sports and levels of championship competition and from year to year to ensure meaningful and manageable levels of play. Individual sports should also follow a consistent level of playoffs albeit they may differ from team sport playoffs.

Number of Teams in Championships
The maximum number of teams permitted to play in playoffs leading to a provincial championship is the least reasonable number in consideration of the sport to ensure efficient management and delivery of a safe and competitive event. 

Character Development
Although winning a championship will be a goal of many teams, it is but a pleasant by-product of the journey.  The true value in the journey of school sport and ensuing playoffs is character development consistent with the goals of education.