The official English launch took place Thursday at John F. Kennedy High School in St- Michel and was broadcast live by the English radio THE TEAM 990. The event featured the presence of Impact president Joey Saputo, Impact technical director and school alumnus Nick De Santis, defender Adam Braz, as well as former player and team builder Lloyd Barker. EMSB Chair Angela Mancini represented the school board on this occasion.
The All the way with the Impact tour is sponsored by the National Bank Financial Group for a third consecutive year.
"We cannot stress enough the importance of encouraging children to follow their dreams and objectives, and giving them the proper tools to carry them through," said Joey Saputo. “Engaging in school and sports are key elements for our youth to recognize and reach their full potential, and this is the essence of our ambassadors’ motivational message. We are thrilled this year to be able to promote our program to more schools and in the process, reach an ever-growing number of students.”
"We are really proud of the partnership we have built with the Impact," said Angela Mancini. "There are a lot of soccer fans in our schools. We know that their 'stay-in-school' message has been very well received by students, teachers and parents. The Impact players serve as excellent role models."
Over the next few weeks, Lloyd Barker will visit several EMSB elementary and secondary schools to discuss with kids the importance of staying in school and striving for excellence. Emphasis will be given to the values of initiative-taking, discipline and cooperation in achieving their goals.
As part of the partnership, EMSB students will get the chance to attend a match at Saputo Stadium during the 2010 season. The Impact will once again hold a special ceremony before the game, highlighting some of the most outstanding students, and bursaries will be awarded to the top two students. These bursaries are named in honour of the late Tony Licursi, the longtime Impact statistician who died in 2005 and who was devoted to the cause of helping children better themselves.
LIST OF SCHOOLS:
February 10 - 1:30 pm
St. Brendan Elementary School (Rosemount)
6650, 39th Avenue
February 12 - 1:30 pm
Santa Monica School (N.D.G.)
6440 Terrebonne St.
For this visit, Lloyd Barker will be joined by Impact assistant coach Mauro Biello, who is a graduate of Santa Monica.
February 17 - 10 am
Fraser Academy (St. Laurent)
950 Fraser St.
February 23 - 10 am
Dante Elementary School (St. Leonard)
6090 Lachenaie St.
February 24 - 1:30 pm
Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School (Montreal West)
314 Northview St.
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
-30-
Contact:
Claudia Gervais, Montreal Impact
514-328-3668, ext. 234
Michael J. Cohen, EMSB
514-483-7200, ext. 7243
