(Ottawa, Ontario – September 9, 2011) – In celebration of the second annual Sports Day in Canada, True Sport challenged its members to make a difference in their communities by taking the True Sport Community Give-Back Challenge. One hundred and twenty-two groups stepped up to the challenge and sent in inspiring and heartwarming submissions from across the country in the form of videos, photos and written stories. 

The True Sport Community Give-Back Challenge Selection Committee – Hayley Wickenheiser, National Women’s Hockey Team; Scott Russell, CBC Sports; Kelly Murumets, ParticipACTION; and Karri Dawson, True Sport –  is excited to announce that it has narrowed the entries to six finalists who it believes have truly demonstrated how the power of sport can make a difference in their community. The selection criteria included community impact, ability to motivate others to get involved, innovation and creativity, and ability to connect and work with others to make a greater difference.

We are now asking the public to vote for their favourite Give-Back story. The story that receives the most votes will receive an award of $7,500, while the two stories with the next highest number of votes will receive $5,000 and $2,500 to help them live True Sport in their community. Winners will be announced during the Sports Day broadcast on CBC Sports on September 17, 2011.

The finalists are:

  • “Africa Bike Race” submitted by A Better World, Canmore, AB
  • “Inline Skate for Courage Canada” submitted by Mark DeMontis for Courage Canada, Quebec, QC
  • “Learn to Curl…on Purpose” submitted by Rock Solid Productions, Oakville, ON
  •  “Pump it Up for Platelets” submitted by the Platelet Disorder Support Association, Saint-Lambert, QC
  • “Skate for Cheer” submitted by the Century Skating Club, Winnipeg, MB
  • “XXcel Charity All-Star Game” submitted by XXcel Basketball, Oshawa, ON

Voting begins on September 11, 2011. Visit www.truesport.ca/giveback to see the finalists’ submissions and to vote for your favourite True Sport Give-Back story. Voting concludes September 14, 2011.

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About True Sport
True Sport is Canada’s national movement for sport and community. Its goal is to help sport live up to its full potential as a public asset for Canada and Canadian society, making a significant contribution to the development of youth, the wellbeing of individuals, and quality of life in our communities. You can join True Sport at www.truesport.ca.

For further information, please contact:
Rosemary Pitfield
Director, Executive Operations & Public Affairs
True Sport
(613) 355-0889
(613) 521-3340 x3236
rpitfield@truesport.ca                                                                                

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