Since 1972, Sask Sport has enriched Saskatchewan lives through collective programming and services beneficial to sport. Our volunteer-led, non-profit organization was founded by grassroots volunteers in the sport community.
The inaugural meeting of a new sport collective was held in Regina in September 1971. At the meeting, 36 sports were represented by 80 delegates who helped draft a constitution and bylaws. It was decided that the organization would focus on developing programming for both recreational and competitive athletes.
Swimming, football, fastball and wrestling became the charter members. By the following year, the membership grew to 47.
Under the guidance of the first-ever president, Hank Lorenzen, Sask Sport was incorporated under the Societies Act on January 20, 1972, with the first AGM held in March. Truly believing in the model, founding volunteers Cas Pielak and Joe Kanuka agreed to sign a promissory note to help start a lottery fundraising program. This became Sask Lotteries, established in 1974, which today is the funder of more than 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups.
Together, Sask Sport and its 78 members, along with thousands of active and dedicated volunteers, key stakeholders and partners, as well as passionate employees, continue to build upon the foundation created in 1972 of sharing the benefits of sport to create vibrant Saskatchewan communities.
Giving Us A Sporting Chance: The Story of Sask Sport The early days of Sask Sport are documented in a 2016 book. The book tells the history of amateur sport in Saskatchewan and the community-led movement to establish a fundraiser.
