At 35, Lawrence Greyeyes decided to retire from his Muskeg Lake Cree Nation men's team. Then he heard Saskatoon was starting a 35-and-over league. He found a team of University of Saskatchewan faculty and staff who needed players, brought along his brothers Spencer and Kevin, and offered to pay half the cost of real jerseys if his company could sponsor them. That's how the Law-Sel Construction Pitch Rippers were born, more than 30 years ago. Lawrence remembers teammates from 16 different nationalities, a Brazilian named Jose with "a bullet of a shot", and plenty of International Beer Nights along the way.

Lawrence also shares how he understands soccer's roots in First Nations communities: a game that cost nothing to play and was passed down through residential schools and the military. He talks about Muskeg Lake's long tradition of military service and "Big Dave" Greyeyes, who came home from the Second World War and coached the next generation. He remembers taking the Muskeg Lake Little Eagles to a tournament in Minneapolis after the kids fundraised by picking bottles, coaching at the North American Indigenous Games, and his grandfather George, a fullback who was famous for his speed.

After 50 years in the game, Lawrence sums it up simply: "my life has been soccer."

Have a soccer story of your own? Share it with us, donate photos or memorabilia, and visit the showcases at Kinsmen / Henk Ruys and the Saskatoon Soccer Centre.

In this episode, goalkeeper, coach, and community builder Raymond Fox joins host Jacob Powell to share the story of Indigenous soccer from the fields of Sweetgrass First Nation to elite competition and coaching at Blue Mountain Community College. Raymond talks about growing up between North Battleford and res tournaments, FSIN as a true rite of passage, and the family and community leaders—like his grandfather Donald and “Grandma” Ethel Stone—who used a 15-passenger van and a ball to keep kids on a better path. He reflects on legendary games, the European scout who once showed up in Sweetgrass, trips to the Gothia Cup, and what it feels like to win FSIN after years of heartbreak. Raymond also speaks candidly about racism in the game, why so much Indigenous talent never gets seen, and his mission now: building intentional spaces and pathways so the next generation of First Nation players can use soccer to see the world—and be seen by it.

Sheryl Okemaysim grew up in Beardy's playing soccer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with her mom as her coach and the community covering the league fees so all eight kids in the family could play. In this episode, Sheryl talks about soccer as an outlet and a way of life. She remembers busing in from Beardy's to play in Saskatoon in the early '90s, and getting back on the pitch as a young mom.

Sheryl and her husband, Corey Bugler, met through soccer and went on to co-found Native Sons Football Club. She shares the low moment in that first year, when the money for the team's flights wasn't coming in and the trip to Europe almost didn't happen. Her words to Corey that day: "don't lose hope, don't give up. Because if you lose hope, then all hope is gone." A few months later, the team was on the plane to the Gothia Cup in Sweden. Today, former Native Sons players are coming back to coach the next generation.

Sheryl also honours her late mom, who kept women's soccer going back home through fundraisers, dances and raffles, and shares family stories of soccer in Beardy's going back generations.

Want to hear the other side of the Native Sons story? Listen to our episode with Corey Bugler.

Have a soccer story of your own? Share it with us, donate photos or memorabilia, and visit the showcases at Kinsmen / Henk Ruys and the Saskatoon Soccer Centre.

Corey Buglar was about 15 when the older players in Red Pheasant First Nation brought him along to play men's soccer. He remembers getting "thrown around a whole bunch of times" and learning fast. In this episode, Corey looks back on summers spent travelling the tournament circuit between reserves around the Battlefords, and explains why FSIN is still the one everybody wants to win: "you can win all the other tournaments, but it's like, you didn't win FSIN, you know?"

Corey and his wife went on to found Native Sons Football Club. After both of their teams won gold at the North American Indigenous Games, they took a U19 team from across the region to Europe to play at the Gothia Cup in Sweden and the Dana Cup in Denmark, bringing their drums and regalia along the way. For more than 15 years, Native Sons has used soccer to promote positive lifestyles and give First Nations kids opportunities that aren't always there on reserve.

Corey also pays tribute to his late mother-in-law, Alorna, who he remembers as one of the matriarchs of First Nations women's soccer.

Have a soccer story of your own? Share it with us, donate photos or memorabilia, and visit the showcases at Kinsmen / Henk Ruys and the Saskatoon Soccer Centre.

In this episode, longtime coach, manager, and mentor Hugh Morris joins host Jacob Powell to reflect on more than 50 years of building the game in Saskatchewan. Hugh shares powerful stories of working with First Nation communities, discovering extraordinary athletic talent on reserves, and creating inclusive tournaments and select teams that opened doors for Indigenous players. From early road trips and cultural barriers to the hope of future First Nation-led soccer facilities, this conversation captures how the beautiful game can bridge communities, preserve history, and inspire the next generation of players

Gord Pepple grew up in Yorkton wanting to play hockey, until a friend from Wales showed him what soccer could be. His first teaching job, in the fall of 1992, took him to Little Pine First Nation, a community with deep soccer roots. Two years later, he let the boys choose between volleyball and soccer: "we can either do two things half-assed or we can do one thing really good." They chose soccer and won the provincial high school title, celebrating with jackets covered in embroidery.

Over the next three decades, Gord coached, drove the van, organized and refereed his way through the soccer scene around the Battlefords. He remembers taking 55 Little Pine kids to try out for the North American Indigenous Games, co-running the Summer Games in Little Pine (and handing out half a semi-load of leftover milk door to door afterwards), and a short-handed youth team that played a whole indoor tournament in Saskatoon on A535 and heart. He also shares the pride of watching his late son, Braden, score the deciding penalty to win FSIN, and a $5,000 final decided in a field of mud.

After more than 20 years with the whistle, Gord jokes that he has the best seat at every tournament: "I'm always in the final. I'm always in the money."

Gord has a challenge for listeners: dig through your closets and photo albums. Have old pictures, programs, newspaper clippings or team jackets? Share your soccer stories, donate or lend items for copying, and visit the showcases at Kinsmen / Henk Ruys and the Saskatoon Soccer Centre.

In this episode, historian and archivist Grace Flegal joins host Jacob Powell to pull back the curtain on how the Saskatchewan Soccer Legacy Project is being preserved for future generations. Grace explains how the University of Saskatchewan History Department’s CoLab program brought her into the work, then walks through the surprisingly human side of archives—sorting mountains of boxes, finding themes, and carefully protecting fragile photos, letters, and trophies from a century of soccer. She breaks down concepts like fonds and series in plain language (using online shopping as her analogy), shares some of the most powerful discoveries she’s made around women’s soccer and Indigenous players, and reflects on how sport has long brought communities together across the province. Grace also talks about why everyday “shoebox history” from families and clubs matters just as much as championship trophies—and how anyone can help keep Saskatchewan’s soccer stories alive.

IIn this episode of the SK Soccer Legacy Podcast, we dive into the remarkable journey of Huw Morris, a true soccer visionary whose passion for the beautiful game has left an indelible mark on Canadian soccer. Born in Swansea, South Wales, Huw’s love for soccer began at age eight with Winch Wen AFC, inspired by icons like George Best and hometown club Swansea City. In 1976, at 23, Huw and his wife Angela made the bold move to Saskatoon, Canada, where his soccer legacy would take root.

In this engaging episode of the SK Soccer Legacy Podcast, we feature Cedric Gillott, a dedicated coach with deep roots in Saskatchewan's soccer community. Cedric opens up about his journey in soccer, highlighting a pivotal moment in his career and the individual who shaped his path.

Cedric reflects on his most memorable SK soccer moment: leading the U-16 Saskatchewan All-Star team to a bronze medal at the 1981 Interprovincial Championship in Winnipeg. He shares the challenges, triumphs, and pride of coaching young athletes to success on a competitive stage, a milestone that remains a highlight of his career.

When asked, "Who had the biggest impact on you as it pertains to soccer in SK?" Cedric credits Henk Ruys for being a transformative influence. He discusses how Henk's guidance and vision for soccer in Saskatchewan inspired his approach to coaching and commitment to the sport's growth in the region.

This episode offers listeners a heartfelt look into Cedric Gillott's contributions to Saskatchewan soccer, blending personal anecdotes with reflections on the sport's legacy. Perfect for fans, players, and coaches, this conversation celebrates the moments and mentors that have shaped SK's soccer history.

This episode of the Saskatchewan Soccer Legacy Podcast features Mark Millard and David Taylor, prominent members of the Pitch Rippers Soccer Club and the Saskatchewan Soccer Legacy Project Committee. The discussion centers on the origins and unique culture of the Pitch Rippers, a club born from a shared passion for soccer and a love of community and competition. Mark and David reflect on the importance of storytelling and preserving the rich history of local soccer in Saskatchewan for future generations. They also highlight the Legacy Project’s mission to celebrate everyone who has contributed to the sport—from players and coaches to volunteers and fans.

This is the Saskatoon Soccer Legacy Podcast. We believe in creating a living, breathing, organic preservation of the history of Saskatoon soccer for past, present, and future generations.

Anyone who has set foot on a pitch, volunteered, officiated, or supported from the touchline is an integral part of Saskatoon Soccer Legacy!

History Creates Culture, and if we want to have a soccer culture here in Saskatoon, we need to highlight the game's history here.

Today, I have with me a very special guest; Ken Gryschuk, A player, a coach, a ref, and manager.

We explore the history of the game in the 1900’s, his own personal story founding Holy Cross High School Soccer team, the old soccer school in Dundurn, and what the history he has found using a newspaper database and AI.

Enjoy!

This is the Saskatoon Soccer Legacy Podcast. We believe in creating a living, breathing, organic preservation of the history of Saskatoon soccer for past, present, and future generations.

Anyone who has set foot on a pitch, volunteered, officiated, or supported from the touchline is an integral part of Saskatoon Soccer Legacy!

History Creates Culture, and if we want to have a soccer culture here in Saskatoon, we need to highlight the game's history here.

Today, I have with me a very special guest; Percy Hoff, A player, a coach, and manager from the Holandia and the Off the Wall Tournament

We are going to explore the story behind the Off the wall tournament, the Holandia club and Youth development in Saskatoon.

With guests - Dena Clark, Laurier Langlois, Paul Sherwood, and Ian Senterre

Wildwood Wolves was one of the first youth clubs to take over the Saskatchewan game by storm. How exactly was soccer in Saskatoon structured before Saskatoon Youth Soccer? Did you know there was a very specific dining table that kicked off everything we know about Saskatoon Youth Soccer?

Join us on this episode to hear from the Tosney Family: John, Linda, and their daughter Elizabeth. They were instrumental in coaching, playing, and managing many soccer teams in Saskatoon in the 1980s.

Gord’s Stories Part 2.

The Game In The 90’s - Gord Quinland | Part 1

For the love of the game and friends - Stewart and Sherren Gillott PART 1