News Releases
BMO Financial Group, Skate Canada title sponsor and partner, won the Canadian Sport Award for Corporate Excellence - National Initiative Support at the 34th Annual Canadian Sport Awards ceremony, which was held March 23 in Winnipeg.
The Canadian Sport Award for Corporate Excellence - National Initiative Support is presented annually to a corporation that supports a grassroots program or league and whose support has allowed for design, implementation, ongoing operations and growth of the program.
“Skate Canada congratulates BMO Financial Group on this outstanding recognition,” said Skate Canada CEO William Thompson. “BMO Financial Group is an extremely valuable sponsor and partner to Skate Canada, and we very much appreciate their support of figure skating in Canada, from the grassroots level through to the national level.”
As the presenter of Skate Canada's CanSkate program, BMO Financial Group has been instrumental in helping to provide learn-to-skate programs for Canadians of all ages and abilities. CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada skating programs for beginners of all ages and is tailored to each user-group. Participants earn badges while they learn fundamental skating skills.
"We are extremely pleased that our long-time partnership with Skate Canada has been recognized by a Canadian Sport Award for Corporate Excellence. We wish to thank skaters, coaches, trainers, parents and volunteers from across Canada for their commitment which is a source of inspiration for BMO and its employees", said Susan Payne, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Marketing, BMO Financial Group.
BMO Financial Group has been involved in figure skating since 1996 and, in addition to its support of the CanSkate program, is the title sponsor of several Skate Canada competitive events, such as the BMO Canadian Championships, BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals, BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Synchronized Championships, BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Challenges and BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Sectionals.
-30-
Skate Canada, the national governing body responsible for the development and administration of figure skating in Canada, is the largest figure skating association in the world. With skating programs for athletes of all ages, offered at 1326* clubs across the country, Skate Canada is an association dedicated to providing every Canadian the opportunity to experience the passion, spirit and triumph of skating.
BMO Financial Group is the title sponsor of the BMO Canadian Championships, Junior Nationals and the Synchronized Nationals as well as the qualifying events that lead to the national championships, the Sectional and Challenge events. Recognizing the need to support young skaters in their quest for excellence, BMO Financial Group also supports Skate Canada's learn-to-skate program, CanSkate, which is taught in over 1,300 skating clubs and schools across Canada.
* As at August 30, 2006.