News Releases

BLAINVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2011) - The Blainville U11 Boys' 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. Canadians can log on to BMOsoccer.com to cast their vote. The team with the most number of votes will be the BMO Team of the Week 2011 Champion.

"As the coach of this team, I am delighted to see all my players and their parents coming together for this contest. I knew that for major sporting competitions we were a united group, however this contest made me realize just how determined these young boys are. They want to win at all costs, just like they do on the field. It's really a privilege to be their coach," said Vincent Griet, coach of the Blainville U11MAA.

The players have been going from door to door in their neighbourhood to promote their team. The city of Blainville has donated 45,000 voting memory cards to the team; the players and their parents have been distributing them throughout local supermarkets and soccer parks. The 100 posters provided by BMO have been posted in restaurants and businesses in the region.

"We are 14 young players aged 10 and 11, and soccer is our life, our social network, our pride. Showing up four nights a week on a soccer field is not considered to be work but a true pleasure because we are passionate, dedicated to this sport and we always look forward to seeing our friends. For our community, our fans, our parents, we need to win BMO Team of the Week. We believe in our hearts that we are already winners, but this award would be a great honour," said Zachary Potvin, captain of the team.

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.