Hockey Canada, USA Hockey Lend Support to RBC Play Hockey
New and extended partnerships with hockey governing bodies
TORONTO, December 20, 2010 — To help hockey
happen in communities across North America and continue building
its brand momentum in both countries, RBC today announced
an extended commitment with Hockey Canada and a new multi-year
partnership with USA Hockey.
"RBC Play Hockey is a strong and clear message of support
for our game, and of faith in its future," said Bob Nicholson,
president and CEO of Hockey Canada. "Uniting governing
bodies and hockey stars from across North America in a single
grassroots cause is unprecedented. RBC was clearly listening
to our call-to-action at the recent World Hockey Summit in
Toronto and today they have given an enormous boost to grassroots
hockey."
Building on a partnership that began more than 15 years ago,
RBC will continue to be a premier partner of Hockey Canada
and the official sponsor of Canada's national men's and women's
teams. RBC will also remain as the title sponsor of the National
Junior A Championship, the RBC Cup, the RBC Junior A Scholarship
Award and the RBC Canadian Junior A Player of the Year Award.
As the new financial services partner for USA Hockey, the
national governing body of the sport of ice hockey in the
United States, RBC's support of amateur hockey now spreads
across North America. In addition to being an official sponsor
of the United States Men's and Women's National teams, RBC
is a premier partner of the 2011 World Junior Championship,
2012 Women's World Championship and the USA Pond Hockey Championship.
"USA Hockey is thrilled to partner with RBC, an organization
with such a distinguished track record in helping to grow
the game of hockey," said Dave Ogrean, executive director,
USA Hockey. "RBC has helped build amateur sport for decades
and we look forward to their support in encouraging, developing
and advancing our sport in the years to come."
"We are pleased to expand our commitment to hockey right
across North America and play a greater role in developing
the game," said Jim Little, chief brand and communications
officer, RBC. "Later this month, at the 2011 World Junior
Championship in Buffalo, we will begin to connect and unify
our passion for hockey in both nations. And through these
strategic partnerships, RBC will continue to build our brand
momentum, engage our clients and employees and have a positive,
social impact on the big cities and small towns where hockey
happens."
To celebrate the extended partnership, RBC has provided $75,000
to develop the Hockey Canada Getting Started online
resource tool to encourage more people to play the game. Through
this new site, users will be able to easily find minor hockey
associations, hockey arenas and outlets to purchase hockey
equipment that are close to home. This new tool will help
increase player registration, eliminate barriers to hockey
participation, provide a greater awareness of the sport, and
encourage a more active lifestyle for Canadians of all ages.
These partnerships will enhance the recently announced RBC
Play Hockey program which will distribute $1,000,000 in grants
to help grow the game across North America. Grant applications
will be accepted at www.rbcplayhockey.com
beginning on December 26, 2010. All applications will be reviewed
by a selection of hockey experts. Successful applications
will be awarded an RBC Play Hockey Grant of up to $25,000.
Eleven RBC Play Hockey Ambassadors, including Hockey Hall
of Famers Steve Yzerman and Brian Leetch, and current stars
Steven Stamkos, P.K. Subban, Greg Westlake and Jayna Hefford
will help encourage Canadians and Americans to take up the
sport. The ambassadors will share their passion and offer
support to the countless volunteers engaged in growing the
game at the grassroots level. For a complete list of RBC Play
Hockey Ambassadors, visit www.rbcplayhockey.com.
RBC is committed to helping hockey happen in communities
across North America. As a premier partner of Hockey Canada
and USA Hockey, RBC is an official sponsor of each country's
men's and women's national teams, the 2011 IIHF World Junior
Championship, Canada's National Junior A Championship - RBC
Cup - and the Hockey Hall of Fame. RBC sponsors amateur sport
in communities across North America, from grassroots programs
to national sport associations and elite-level athletes.
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For further information, please contact:
Jackie Braden, RBC Brand Communications,
416-974-1724, jackie.braden@rbc.com
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