LAVAL – As part of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Financial Group today announced the first 2012 BMO Team of the Week. Monteuil Sparta – a group of U-9 girls from Laval, Québec – was recognized for its remarkable achievements on and off the field in their community.

“We are thrilled to name Monteuil Sparta as the first BMO Team of the Week for 2012,” said Mario Rigante, District Vice-President, Laval & NW Québec, BMO Bank of Montreal. “The work ethic, team spirit and sense of commitment of these young girls exemplify the spirit of the BMO Team of the Week contest.”

Monteuil Sparta is the first of fifteen youth soccer teams (age 7-12) across Canada that will be selected as weekly winners based on team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. The winners will then vie for the title of BMO Team of the Week 2012 Champion, to be selected by the Canadian public. Online voting will begin on August 13.

“This fabulous group of girls continually shows us that important values such as respect, responsibility and commitment can be learned and understood at an early age,” said Sabatino Andreoni, Coach of the Monteuil Sparta. “While statistics point to us as one of the strongest teams in our age group, our friends and families use the word strong to define our pride and spirit, rather than the number of games we’ve won.”

The Monteuil Sparta team profile can be viewed at BMOsoccer.com.