New Curling Program Comes to Winnipeg
Capital One Rocks & Rings program brings curling to Manitoba schools
Winnipeg, MB (January 18, 2010) – The Capital One Rocks & Rings program is expanding into Manitoba in an effort to get youth moving during the school day. This new program will expose curling to children and families that would otherwise not receive the opportunity, with the ultimate goal being increased participation in the sport.
Using unique floor curling equipment, students experience a high-energy, fun-filled session while learning about the sport in their school’s gymnasium. The Capital One Rocks & Rings program is off to a flying start and will visit 70 - 80 Manitoba schools in the 2009-10 school year.
“Our curling sponsorship has helped grow awareness of the sport and attract countless new curling fans across the country,” said Ian Cunningham, Chief Marketing Officer, Capital One Canada. “With the latest expansion of the Capital One Rocks & Rings program into Manitoba, we hope to increase their numbers by engaging the next generation of curlers.”
“The Canadian Curling Association continues to assist the Capital One Rocks & Rings program with its expansionary efforts and is very proud to be the exclusive national sport partner of this concept,” stated Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. “After penetration into both the Greater Toronto Area and Vancouver, we are excited that this development program will now be coming to the Province of Manitoba. The timing is ideal, as this program acts as an excellent follow-up to the CCA’s Getting Started that was utilized within a multitude of Manitoba schools during the 2008 Tim Horton’s Brier.”
With each elementary school visit, the Capital One Rocks & Rings program reaches six to seven classes or approximately 150 to 200 students. Upon completion, each student receives a graduation certificate which also provides valuable information including where and how the student and his or her parents can get involved in curling in their area.
“Curl Manitoba is pleased to have the Capital One Rocks & Rings program here in Manitoba. We think it is a great program that helps expose a great sport to children in the community and we think it will pay great dividends to the sport in the long run,” declared Shane Ray, Executive Director of Curl Manitoba.
About Capital One
Located in Toronto, Ontario, Capital One has offered Canadian consumers a range of competitive MasterCard® credit cards since 1996, when the company first introduced the Platinum MasterCard® in Canada. Capital One Canada is a division of Capital One Bank, a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation of McLean, Virginia (NYSE: COF). Capital One is committed to the community and to helping youth through our business and nonprofit partnerships and through the skills and dedication of our talented associates.
About Rock Solid Productions Inc.
Rock Solid Productions Inc. is an agency that helps clients exceed their marketing goals through leveraging various aspects of the sport of curling. President Chad McMullan has a long history in the sport having spent years as both Executive Director of the World Curling Tour and as a top-level competitor.
About the CCA
The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) is the national sport governing body responsible for the development, promotion and organization of curling in Canada. In cooperation with its Provincial and Territorial Member Associations across Canada, the CCA provides programs and services to curlers ranging from the youngest “little rocker” (age 7 and up) to those 60 and older and from aspiring Olympians to Canadians with special needs, coaches, curling facility operators and volunteer boards, ice makers and officials. The CCA and their Member Associations are also responsible for the organization and operation of the championship system that culminates in the Canadian Championships operated by the CCA for Juniors (20 and under), University, Seniors (50 and over), Mixed, Women, Men and Wheelchair.
The Dominion
Canadian owned and operated since 1887, today The Dominion is one of the country’s largest property and casualty insurers. The Dominion takes pride in providing Canadians with confidence that the cars, homes and businesses they value are protected. A fierce advocate for consumer interests, The Dominion is committed to making sure the insurance system works best for consumers. The Dominion strongly believes consumers should have access to independent, professional advisors, who provide advocacy and choice, which is why they distribute their products exclusively through independent brokers. The Dominion's priority is to earn and maintain the trust and loyalty of policyholders, employees and business partners. Visit thedominion.ca
About Curl Manitoba
The mandate of Curl Manitoba is to promote the game of curling in the province of Manitoba; to unite all curling clubs within Manitoba into one organization; to organize recreational and competitive curling competitions; to establish and govern the rules and regulations for competitions within the province.
Media Contacts:
Capital One
Laurel Ostfield
Communications Manager
416-549-2753
Rock Solid Productions
Chad McMullan
President
416-666-7674
Curl Manitoba
Cole Skinner
Event Coordinator / Media Relations
204-925-5721