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CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2011) - The Southwest United Red Devils 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.

The girls are extremely proud to be named one of the finalists and have taken up talking about the votes, according to Graham Sidders, coach of the Red Devils. "During a team practice, the girls were talking about the votes and that some teams have more. The girls came to the conclusion that between parents, players, grandparents, and friends we have about 100 supporters but also had 900 votes. The girls wonder how they will send their new friends 800 thank you cards.

"They have been posting the BMO posters and stickers in our communities and sending notes to all the people we know to have a look at all 15 teams and vote for one. Hopefully the team they vote for is us," added Sidders.

"My dream is to become a professional soccer player and it is very exciting to see so many other teams and players that look like they want this as well," said Sofia Mondaca, player with the Red Devils. Sofia feels lucky that they have the chance to help others kids through the team's favourite charity, Kidsport, which provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport.

"I never knew that so many people cared about soccer and that they would vote for us, so I want to say thank you to everyone that took the time to say they cared about us and soccer," said Sofia about her team's quest to be named Champion.

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 a weekly winner 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.