News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 11, 2012) -

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

BMO Financial Group today recognized another winner in the BMO Team of the Week program. Mooredale Lightning Gold 2000, a U-12 boys' team from Toronto, ON, was selected by the BMO Team of the Week judging panel for its team pride, team spirit, community involvement and passion for the game.

"These boys clearly eat, drink and breathe soccer," said Lily Capriotti, District Vice President, GTA Central, BMO Bank of Montreal. "But their passion for creating something that will help less fortunate kids play soccer makes them an excellent choice as this week's winner. Through their creation of the Kids In Sports Foundation, they've raised over $300,000 to aid inner-city athletes all over Toronto, with the long-term goal of providing a subsidized inner-city soccer facility."

"These boys come from all over the city and have a diverse cultural and social background," said Mooredale Lightning Gold 2000 Coach Dominic Willock. "And while they are exceptionally proud of their winning record, they are prouder still of what they have accomplished off the field in helping to create an assistance program for kids all over Toronto and for the advancement of youth sports as a whole."

As part of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO will name one Team of the Week honouree each week for 15 weeks. The 15 winners will then vie for the title of 2012 BMO Team of the Week Champion, to be selected by the Canadian public. Online voting will begin on August 13.

Mooredale Lightning Gold 2000's full team profile can be viewed at www.BMOsoccer.com.

About BMO Team of the Week

BMO Team of the Week is Canada's premier sport celebration at the grassroots level, engaging a nation and inspiring communities by recognizing youth soccer teams who demonstrate team pride, team spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. Fifteen weekly winners will be named BMO Team of the Week starting April 18, and entered for a chance to be voted by Canadians as BMO Team of the Week 2012 Champion. The grand prize includes a $125,000 refurbishment of their community soccer field, a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home game, plus a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120710-mooredale800.jpg.