RBC Insurance launches 2010 search for Canada’s most dedicated community hockey volunteers
13 regional RBC Local Hockey Leaders® winners to receive $10,000
each and a place of honour in Hockey Hall of Fame
TORONTO, March 4, 2010— RBC Insurance,
with support from Hockey Canada and the Hockey Hall of Fame,
today launched its annual nationwide search for outstanding
hockey volunteers. Nominations will be accepted online at
www.rbclocalhockeyleaders.com
until April 9, 2010.
"As Canadians celebrate our Olympic gold-medal victories
for men's and women's ice hockey, they may be unaware that
without the dedication of local hockey volunteers, these athletes
would have never been able to achieve their Olympic dreams,"
said Neil Skelding, president and CEO, RBC Insurance. "We're
excited and proud to celebrate those exceptional individuals
who generously give their time to enrich our nation's game
in their communities."
Regional winners, one from each of the 13 Hockey Canada branches
as well as one RBC employee winner, will receive $10,000 towards
a registered charity or hockey cause in their community, a
signed Team Canada jersey and trip for two to Toronto, where
they will be recognized in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
"While the players are the focus of the game, we cannot
forget the contributions of the thousands of volunteers who
work tirelessly to ensure the future of Canada's game,"
said Bob Nicholson, president and CEO of Hockey Canada. "We
ask all Canadians to nominate those volunteers and give the
rest of Canada the opportunity to thank them for what they
do in their communities."
Over the past seven years, RBC Insurance has awarded more
than $700,000 to grassroots hockey activities across Canada
through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program. Grants from
the 2009 RBC Local Hockey Leaders program went towards a new
score clock in Moosomin, SK, new goalie equipment in Grand
Falls-Windsor, NL, subsidizing travel expenses for a special
needs ice hockey tournament in St. Catharines, ON, and many
other worthy initiatives.
"Through the RBC Local Hockey Leaders program we're
able to highlight the efforts of Canada's hockey volunteers
in a dedicated display here at the Hockey Hall of Fame,"
said Bill Hay, chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame. "RBC
Insurance is investing in Canadian communities through hockey
and we are happy to be a part of this effort."
A panel including women's ice hockey Olympic gold medalist,
Cheryl Pounder, National Sledge Hockey Team captain Jean Labonté,
hockey legend Ron Ellis, and Ken Corbett, chairman of Hockey
Canada's Board of Directors, will select winners from nominations
submitted through the program website. Nominations will be
accepted until midnight (EDT) on April 9, 2010. To nominate
a dedicated minor hockey volunteer from your area, go to www.rbclocalhockeyleaders.com.
RBC Local Hockey Leaders® winners are the behind-the-scenes
volunteers who make hockey a positive, safe, and enjoyable
activity in their communities. Hard work, dedication, commitment
and the impact they have on the community will be amongst
the criteria considered when evaluating submissions.
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For further information, please contact:
Katie Hammill,
Stellick Communications, khammill@gotoguys.net,
416-603-9452
Andre Brin,
Hockey Canada, abrin@hockeycanada.ca,
403-777-4557
Kelly Masse,
Hockey Hall of Fame, kmasse@hhof.com,
416-933-8212
Margie McNeil,
RBC Insurance, margie.mcneil@rbc.com,
905-606-1425
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