Impact Invest In Quebec Youth

THE IMPACT RAISES INVESTMENT TO $90,000 FOR YOUNG PROMISING SOCCER TALENT
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact renewed its partnership with the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, announcing a $90,000 commitment for the next three years.

Eighteen promising young soccer players from across the province were awarded an Impact bursary, Saturday, at the Quebec Soccer Federation’s Annual Meeting, at the Auberge Universel Hotel, in Montreal.

Players ranging from 13 to 17 years of age shared a total amount of $27,000 divided into nine bursaries of $2,000 (Elite category) and nine bursaries of $1,000 (Hopeful category).

“We are very enthusiastic about the renewed commitment with the Foundation as it will continue to promote the recognition and visibility of local talent and increase the pool of promising young athletes,” said Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo. “The Impact has always been keen to enhancing local players’ performance and opportunities, and the bursary program enables us to carry out our commitment to develop and professionalize the sport.”

“We are excited with this partnership renewal, which will allow the expansion of the Montreal Impact bursary program for the next three years. This not only represents significant financial support for the young recipients but it also serves as a major source of motivation, encouraging athletes to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence,” declared Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence president Claude Chagnon.

The Impact has reinforced its presence in the province once again this year, notably increasing its appearances in various regions across Quebec through the Suzuki public practices. Moreover, in 2008, the Impact’s reserve team, the Trois-Rivières Attak, competed for the first time in its short history in the Canadian Soccer League Championship.

Furthermore, the Saputo Stadium, the new home of the Impact since the 2008 season, was built exclusively for soccer to promote the development of the game in Quebec. The stadium hosts regional, provincial and national soccer tournaments, as well as international games.

In October 2005, the Impact announced it would award $75,000 in bursaries over three years, with the creation of the Montreal Impact Bursaries program. That same year, the Impact gave an initial amount of $24,000 to 16 young promising athletes and in 2006 and 2007, they awarded $25,000 to 17 athletes.

The Montreal Impact Bursaries program is managed by the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, in collaboration with the Quebec Soccer Federation, which identifies the elite and hopeful athletes.

2008 RECIPIENTS OF THE MONTREAL IMPACT BURSARIES PROGRAM
$1,000 Bursaries (Relève)
KIM BOUTIN 13 … Sherbrooke
MAXIME CRÉPEAU 14 … Candiac
SABRINA HEMOND 15 … Sherbrooke
ARIANNE LECLERC 14 … Québec
JOSÉE-ANNE LEGAULT 14 … Terrebonne
SHADRACK MMUNGA 14 … Québec
SAMUEL PIETTE 14 … Le Gardeur
VIRGINIE ROUSSEAU 14 … Saint-Constant
GRÉGORY TURFAN 14 … Brossard

$2,000 Bursaries (Élite)
FÉLIX CARDIN 16 … Marieville
RACHEL LAMARRE 17 … Laval
MARIALYE LARAMÉE-TROTTIER 17 … Québec
CYNTHIA LEBLANC 17 … Granby
ANNICK MALTAIS 17 … Trois-Rivières
AMINE MEFTOUH 16 … Laval
DIDEROT NANA 16 … Montréal
GENEVIÈVE RICHARD 16 … St-Bruno
JEANKENSON SUCCES 15 … Montréal

ABOUT THE MONTREAL IMPACT
Since its relaunch in 2002, with the participation of major partners such as the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo, the Montreal Impact has become a non-profit organization. Profits are reinvested in the development of soccer in Quebec.

ABOUT THE QUEBEC FOUNDATION FOR ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
The Foundation’s mission is to financially help and support student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence and to contribute to providing role models for Quebec society at large. The Foundation will have given, by the end of 2008, nearly $625,000 in bursaries through its various programs. Visit the website at: www.faeq.com.

THE IMPACT EXTENDS ITS STAY-IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIVE SCHOOL BOARDS
MONTREAL – In an effort to continue and extend its stay-in-school initiative, the Montreal Impact will reach for a fourth consecutive year thousands of students through its program “All the Way With The Impact”, adding a fifth school board from the Island of Montreal as partner in this project.
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.