Two French school boards and three English boards will now benefit from this initiative: Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), Commission scolaire Pointe de l’Ile (CSPI), English Montreal School Board (EMSB), Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB) and Lester B. Pearson School Board. The extension of the partnership to this latter board will from now on ensure a full east-west territorial presence on the Island of Montreal.
“I am thrilled to participate again in this tour and I feel there is a positive connection with the youth,” said Montreal Impact midfielder Patrick Leduc, who is one of the spokespersons of the program. “I am pleased to share my experience with them and pass on the importance of believing in themselves and their dreams. If this tour can inspire students to persevere when faced with their own challenges, then the objective is met.”
« We are proud to have been one of the pioneers of the Impact stay-in-school program,” said Angela Mancini, chairman of the English Montreal School Board. “Our board is delighted to continue the partnership we have forged with the Montreal Impact. The students look forward to the school visits and we always turn up in big numbers to the annual EMSB Night in June. I have personally seen firsthand the school visits and attended the games with my children. We are fortunate to have such a community minded sports franchise in our city.”
Renewing its commitment for a second consecutive year, the National Bank Financial Group will once again support the program of school visits.
“Sports play a frontline role in the youth’s development. Not only do they promote a healthy lifestyle, but they teach determination, discipline and the importance of surpassing oneself. This set of values play a role in preventing students from dropping out. We are proud to be once again associated to this program and wish it long life and success,” said Sylvie Roy, Vice-President of Corporate Marketing and Communications for the National Bank Financial Group.
Over the next few weeks and throughout the 2009 school calendar, members of the Montreal Impact will visit elementary and high schools to remind young students of the importance of studying, persevering and building self-confidence to succeed.
As a complement to the awareness efforts in the classrooms, young students will get the chance to attend a game at Saputo Stadium, when each school board will have their designated day to a Montreal Impact game.
On this occasion, the Impact will highlight the performance of some of the most outstanding students during a special ceremony before the game. The two top students from each school board will be awarded the Tony Licursi bursaries, named in honour of the late Tony Licursi, the long-time statistician who died in 2006 and who was devoted to the cause of helping children better themselves.
Source :
Claudia Gervais
Communications and Community Relations
(514) 328-3668 ext. 234
