News Releases

HUNTER RIVER, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - May 25, 2011) -

Attention Lifestyle and Sports Editors

Editors Note: There is one photo associated with this press release.

BMO Financial Group announced today that the Central Queens Clippers U12 Girls has been selected this week's BMO Team of the Week. The team is now eligible to be the BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion and win $125,000 to upgrade their local soccer field.

"The Central Queens Clippers is an outstanding team. These girls give back: to their team, to a worthy cause and to players at a younger level," said Christine Cooper, District Vice-President, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, BMO Bank of Montreal. "That's the kind of character that makes the Clippers a deserving winner of BMO Team of the Week."

Clad in their team's purple jerseys, the team participates in their community's annual 5km run to raise money for cancer research. Many of the Clippers are also mentors to younger clubs, refereeing soccer games for Under-6 and Under-8 teams.

"These girls are intensely committed to their team, the Central Queens Soccer club, and their community. Most of the girls on the team are busy with other sports and extracurricular activities but have made the team a priority. The girls play soccer Sunday evenings when they could be relaxing with friends and family, and take extra conditioning classes to hone their skills," said John VanLeeuwen, Team Coach, Central Queens Clippers U12 Girls. "The Clippers also volunteer at the annual Central Queens tournament, that helps pay down the club mortgage for the six fields and clubhouse. It is an immense pleasure to coach such a dedicated group."

The Central Queens Clippers are the sixth of 15 youth soccer teams (age 7-12) across Canada that will be selected between April 1 and June 30 as weekly BMO Team of the Week winners based on team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. The winners will then vie for the title of BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion, to be selected by the Canadian public through online voting as of August 1.

The Central Queens Clippers team profile can be viewed at www.BMOsoccer.com.

BMO Team of the Week Game Plan

From April 1 to June 30, Canadian soccer coaches and parents can nominate their favourite soccer team by logging on to www.BMOsoccer.com.

A panel of judges will select a weekly winner and each BMO Team of the Week will receive $500, track suits and a gift to a charity of their choice.

Canadians can vote for their favourite BMO Team of the Week beginning in August. The Champion will receive $125,000 toward a field refurbishment, a trip to see a Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC home game, and $5,000 to a charity of their choice.

About BMO and Soccer

BMO supports soccer across Canada, from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities, to the professional level. Our deep commitment to "The Beautiful Game" is evident with our grassroots sponsorship of more than 900 youth teams nationally. The relationship continues with support of Canada's men's and women's national teams, professional teams (Toronto FC & Vancouver Whitecaps FC) and our soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field).

Internet: www.BMOsoccer.com

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