CALGARY - As part of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Financial Group announced today that Calgary’s South West United (SWU) Red Devils U10 girls’ team has been selected winner of the second BMO Team of the Week title.
“The Red Devils are a superb choice for BMO Team of the Week. They know that success is measured not only in points scored but also in how you treat others,” said Mike Suzuki, District Vice-President, Calgary, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Every week, these girls demonstrate commitment to each other and passion for the game through hours of team training and practice and still take time to give back to their community.”
Red Devils At A Glance
• Ranked first in the Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) Girls’ Under-10 League
• Winners of the CMSA Family Day Tournament and the Edmonton Slush Cup Tournament
• Supported war veterans in Calgary with posters marking importance of Remembrance Day
• Team now finalist for BMO Team of the Week grand prize which includes $125,000 field refurbishment
This past Remembrance Day, each team member wrote a paragraph about what the day means to them; the writings were presented to war veterans in Calgary. They also volunteered at a local silent auction to raise money for Kidsport, an organization which helps remove financial barriers that prevent youth from playing sports.
The team has also shown they are a force on the field. The Red Devils took first place in the 2010-2011 indoor CMSA Girls’ Under-10 League and won both the 2011 CMSA Family Day Tournament and the 2011 Edmonton Slush Cup Tournament.
"You can't help but be excited about soccer each time you arrive at the field with 13 energetic players who are eagerly awaiting the official warm up and game,” said Graham Sidders, Coach of the SWU Red Devils. “The Red Devils have a great winning record but at only nine years old, truly understand that the more effort you put into something the better the result. This is reflected not only in their exceptional ability in soccer but also in the positive attitude and team spirit exhibited in each game, practice, and off-field activity in the community."
The SWU Red Devils are the second of 15 youth soccer teams (age 7-12) across Canada that will be selected between April 1 and June 30 as weekly BMO Team of the Week 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 2011 Champion, to be selected by the Canadian public through online voting as of August 1.
The SWU Red Devils team profile can be viewed at www.BMOsoccer.com
BMO Team of the Week Game Plan
From April 1 to June 30, Canadian soccer coaches and parents can nominate their favourite soccer team by logging on to www.BMOsoccer.com.
A panel of judges will select a weekly winner and each BMO Team of the Week will receive $500, track suits and a gift to a charity of their choice.
Canadians can vote for their favourite BMO Team of the Week beginning in August. 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.
