Cast Your Vote!

August 24th, 2012

As part of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Financial Group launched the official voting period for the BMO Team of the Week contest. Voting is open to all Canadians until August 27.
The team with the most votes will be named the BMO Team of the Week 2012 Champion and will win  $125,000 towards the refurbishment of their local soccer field, a team trip to see a Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Canadian National Team home game, plus $5,000 for a charity of their choice. The winning team’s home town will also be featured in a special Canada AM broadcast, with Jeff Hutcheson hosting a “Breakfast with Jeff”.
"Each of the finalists in this year’s program is a shining example of what the BMO Team of the Week contest is about,” said Sandy Bourne, Vice President, Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. “These teams were selected because of the players’ incredible passion, dedication to not only the community, but also to each other, and because they inspire and engage those around them.
“We are encouraging all Canadians to cast their votes online for the next two weeks. Each vote will bring one lucky team closer to a prize that will benefit their community and create a truly memorable experience,” added Ms. Bourne.
From April 2 to July 13, Canadian soccer coaches and parents submitted nominations for their favourite youth soccer teams, explaining why their team deserved to be the BMO Team of the Week. Fifteen weekly winners were selected by a panel of judges, each receiving a $500 team prize, $500 for their charity of choice, BMO Team of the Week track suits, and a celebration at a local BMO branch.
The popularity of youth soccer was reinforced in a survey released by BMO today which found that children themselves are the key influencers in determining which sport to play. And the sport they want to play more than anything else is soccer. The survey also confirmed that Canadian parents recognize the benefits of youth soccer besides simply promoting healthy living and believe that it also provides an important outlet for youth in their community: more than three-quarters of parents agreeing that youth soccer leagues are an important part of their community.

About the local BMO Team of the Week Finalists

Monteuil Sparta is an U9 girls team from Laval, QC. During the season, the team works to support Le Club des petits déjeuners du Québec, a program that works to provide kids with a proper breakfast and a good learning environment.

The Lakeshore U10 AA girls are from Montreal, QC. These girls are dynamos on the field as well as in the community. The team recently held a two-week long fundraiser to support a young boy within the community in need of cerebral palsy treatment in South America.

Les Griffons MU-10A du CSMRO is an U11 boys’ team from Mont Royal/Outremont, in Montreal, QC. The values of the club and the team itself are put in place to build not only better soccer players, but also better young men. The team is also gearing up to host a group of boys from Haiti and have already raised $25,000 towards the cause so far.

About BMO Team of the Week
   
BMO Team of the Week is Canada’s premier sport celebration at the grassroots level, engaging a nation and inspiring communities by recognizing youth soccer teams who demonstrate team pride, team spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. Fifteen weekly winners have been named BMO Team of the Week and entered for a chance to be voted by Canadians as BMO Team of the Week 2012 Champion. The grand prize includes a $125,000 refurbishment of the winning team’s community soccer field, a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home game, plus a $5,000 donation to the team’s charity of choice.