News Releases

OSHAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2011) - The Oshawa Kicks Attack U10 Girls' team are in the running to be named BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion and win the grand prize, which includes $125,000 to upgrade their community soccer pitch.

The champion team will also win a road trip to see a Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC home game and a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The team with the most number of votes will be named the BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion.

When BMO announced in the spring that they would donate $125,000 to one community in Canada, the parents of the Oshawa Kicks U10 Attack team never thought that their girls would make the final cut. But when parent Tammy Conrad nominated her daughter's team because she thought the girls had "true team spirit, passion for the game and love of soccer." The judges agreed and selected the team to be one of 15 finalists from the 547 entries received from across the country.

The team that gets the most online votes between Aug 1 and August 15 will win the grand prize and $5000 – added to the $500 already given – for the team's favourite charity, "Right to Play." Right to Play improves the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play.

As stated by the team's goalkeeper Sabrina A, "I love playing soccer because of all the friends I have made, and I think children everywhere deserve the chance to play soccer and make friends as well which sums up why our girls have chosen this charity."

The larger prize is the donation of $125,000 to improve playing fields in Oshawa. "This means lights and accessible washrooms that will improve access to sport for players of all abilities here in Oshawa," said Wendy Ellis, team coach of the Kicks Attack. "We would like to thank everyone from the Mayor's office on for the support given our team, and encourage everyone across this great country to join our quest to become the national team of the week by voting daily at www.BMOSoccer.com."

The players have been out gathering support in their neighbourhoods, as well as meeting parents at house league programs, and had an absolute blast making a YouTube video promoting their charity and team (search "Firework- Oshawa Kicks Attack").

For more information, search Oshawa Kicks Attack on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.bmoteamoftheweekkicksattack.shutterfly.com.

About BMO Team of the Week

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

A panel of judges selected weekly winners and each BMO Team of the Week received $500, track suits and a gift to a charity of their choice.

Canadians can vote for their favourite BMO Team of the Week until August 15. 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.