Al Dyer – Meritorious Service
Al Dyer has spent a good portion of his lifetime contributing to his community with his work for Special Olympics, Nordale Community Club and female hockey in Prince Albert and beyond.
Dyer was introduced to the sports scene in Prince Albert volunteering as the accreditation chair for the 1999 Western Canada Summer Games. He also was part of the committee doing the preliminary planning and initial stage construction for the Rotary Trail.
Dyer began his work with Special Olympics in 2000 when the Special Olympics Canada Games were awarded to Prince Albert. He would go on to manage the very successful 2002 event. He joined the Saskatchewan Special Olympics board in 2004 and held various positions including board chair and mission staff until 2017. In 2011, Dyer was chair of the host committee for the 2011 Special Olympics Saskatchewan Winter Games. In 2013, he was awarded an honourary life membership in Special Olympics Saskatchewan.
In 2014, Dyer was recognized for the time he gave to Special Olympics and received the Saskatchewan Sport Volunteer Award. His accolades didn’t end there. In November of 2015, he received the Harry “Red” Foster award from Special Olympics Canada. The award is made available by Special Olympics Canada for presentation to an individual, Special Olympics Chapter staff or volunteer who best exemplifies the spirit, philosophy and goals of the Special Olympics movement and has contributed significantly in the development, awareness and success of Special Olympics in Canada.
In 2019, Dyer was honoured at a 50th anniversary Special Olympics gala ceremony in Toronto. He was recognized as one of the 50 top builders for Special Olympics Canada.
Dyer also worked with the Prince Albert Raiders to help co-ordinate the Special O Power Breakfast. The event ran for 10 years and raised a total of $100,000 for the Raiders Education Fund and Special Olympics.
In 2014, Dyer was chair of the host committee for the Saskatchewan Winter Games. This multi-sport, week-long event brought thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators to Prince Albert, showcasing the many wonderful facilities in the city.
Dyer also served on the SaskSport Board of Directors serving a three-year term beginning in 2017. Subsequently, he served on the SaskSport Sport Funding Committee which oversees funding from Sask Lotteries for the 78 member sport organizations and districts in Saskatchewan.
His work with hockey began in 2006 when he volunteered his time to Prince Albert Minor Hockey in coaching and managerial positions on his daughter’s hockey teams. He also assisted PA Minor Hockey, serving on a committee to implement a major structural and governance review.
He began his tireless volunteer work with the Prince Albert Northern Bears U18 AAA hockey team in 2017 when he became a member of the board of directors. In 2022, Dyer was co-winner of the Esso Volunteer Award from the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey league. His work with the Bears culminated in 2023 when he was part of the organizing committee for the Esso Cup which saw Prince Albert as the host city for the National Female U18 AAA club hockey championships. As co-chair of the marketing and sponsorship committee, Dyer helped create a legacy of $30,000 that will go toward the development of female hockey in Prince Albert and area. Dyer continues to serve as the Northern Bears’ treasurer.
Dyer also spent 25 years as a member of the Nordale Community Club board. During that time, he held a variety of positions including President, helping to co-ordinate everything from hall rentals and playground construction to outdoor ice maintenance.
