News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 18, 2014) - BMO Bank of Montreal today announced a new national soccer program, encouraging youth soccer teams coast to coast to enter a contest for a chance to win a trip to attend a Major League Soccer (MLS) game and one of 26 prizes of $1,000 for their respective teams.

"BMO's role in community soccer is always evolving," said Justine Fedak, Senior Vice President and Head of Brand, Advertising and Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. "Our newest program – 'BMO Ready, Set, Goal!' – is available to youth soccer players, aged 7-12, from any team at any level.

"We love soccer. BMO is the proud sponsor of Canada's Women's and Men's national teams, and also the Major League Soccer teams in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. And we are thrilled to support almost 20,000 house league soccer players across Canada."

'BMO Ready, Set, Goal!'

Coaches and parents are invited to submit their team's cheer video to BMOSoccer.com before September 26^th, 2014. Submissions can be shot from smart phones or home video cameras and should focus on team spirit, rather than video production. Parents and coaches are encouraged to enter the contest for youth team, available to children aged 7-12, from any team at any level.

Each entrant will receive a special offer to open a BMO kid's account. Over the duration of the program, up to 100 teams each week will be randomly selected to receive a $75 gift card that can be used to help buy equipment or defer travel expenses. In September, one team will win a grand prize of a trip for all players and coaches to attend an MLS game.

Parents of youth soccer players are also invited to nominate their child's coach for special recognition. They are encouraged to describe how their team's coach exhibits the qualities of a good leader, instils a love of soccer with everyone on the team, and reinforces a vision for the team to love coming to the pitch.

Twenty-six winning coaches will be selected by a celebrity panel of judges and will win $1,000 for their respective teams.

About BMO and Soccer

BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities all the way up to the professional level. Our deep commitment to 'The Beautiful Game' is evident from our grassroots sponsorship of more than 1,000 youth teams nationally, to our support of Canada's men's and women's national teams, our professional teams (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact) and our soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field).

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services organization based in North America. The bank offers a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers. BMO Financial Group had total assets of $582 billion and more than 45,500 employees at April 30, 2014.

Internet: www.bmosoccer.com

Twitter: @BMOSoccer