News Releases

SIMCOE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2011) - The Meat Wagon Golden Eagles U11 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.

"I am so proud of this exceptional group of children, and the team parents for working so hard to become one of the 15 finalists for the BMO Team of the Week Championship. If we win, we would like to put the funds towards building a clubhouse in our new community soccer park – which would benefit greatly our membership of 1,100 young people that enjoy the sport of soccer in our community," said Bernie Solymar, head coach of the Golden Eagles.

To date, the team has collected almost 300 jerseys for the World Teacher Aid school in Kenya, along with over 120 pairs of soccer shorts, over 80 pairs of soccer socks, 11 new soccer balls, new coaches jerseys, and other assorted items.

"It is absolutely amazing to help such a fabulous group of kids enter this contest, and compete on a national level with other teams from across Canada," says Laura Snow, team parent and nominator who has "put her head (or hair) on the chopping block." If the Golden Eagles win the title of 2011 BMO Team of the Week Champion, Mrs. Snow will follow the lead of many Golden Eagles, by sporting a "buzz cut" or a "Mohawk."

The team has been out and about in the community to spread the word about the program and voting opportunities by participating in the Simcoe Friendship Festival Parade on Saturday, July 30th, handing out approximately 2,000 bumper stickers, memo boards, and information leaflets. Residents can also see their banner hanging at their local soccer park. Most recently, they rode the antique fire truck through Port Dover and asked local businesses to accept posters and change their road signs to promote and show their support for the team.

"It has been great being part of the Golden Eagles, spreading the word about voting and how it will help everyone who plays soccer. People were saying how great we were and that the prize is for our whole club! I love the team, they keep everyone going and are great to play with. They don't get mad and we just keep playing our best, my coaches are the best and help everyone on the team! GO Golden Eagles! Our uniform drive is going good and we are doing a really neat thing helping kids in Kenya, and I hope we get all that we need!" said Golden Eagles forward Abbie Gibbons.

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.