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UPEI Women’s Hockey uses $10,000 RBC Play Hockey grant to help newcomers

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The UPEI women's hockey team received a 2012 RBC Play Hockey grant of $10,000 for their 'Newcomers Play Hockey' program to help keep hockey vibrant in Charlottetown. UPEI kicked off their program this week during the Esso Cup, Canada's National Female Midget Championship being held in Charlottetown.

'Newcomers Play Hockey'-a concept developed by UPEI women's hockey Head Coach, Bruce Donaldson, aims to get youth who are new to Canada involved in the sport through skill sessions put on by the members of the women's team. UPEI will work with the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada, and various government and local agencies that are directly connected to PEI's newest Canadians. With the help of RBC and the RBC Play Hockey grant, this new program offers newcomers on-ice sessions that will focus on skill development, rule interpretation, and of course, having fun playing 'Canada's game.'

'This program will enable us to reenergize and focus on promoting female hockey in the province,' said Donaldson. 'Linking varsity players to the program will provide a clear example for young players and newcomers to Canada to see the importance of staying active with the sport, and excelling, for a chance to play for their province, university, and beyond.'

For the past 25 years that Donaldson has been coaching hockey, he noticed a decrease in the number of female hockey players entering the PEI hockey system and introduced skill sessions and hockey clinics to attract female athletes to the sport. He believes the 'Newcomers to Canada' program will accomplish the same-to encourage newcomers to Canada, including girls, to become interested in the game of hockey. 'We are so appreciative to RBC for this opportunity,' added Donaldson.

'The RBC Play Hockey Grant program has allowed us to shine a spotlight on the people and programs that help hockey happen in communities across Canada,' said Lisette Michaud-Carrier, RBC Regional Vice President, Eastern NB and PEI. 'Over the past year, we've awarded more than $1 million to 87 deserving hockey programs and we're proud to support the hard work and dedication of UPEI's 'Newcomers Play Hockey' program that helps make a difference in our community.'

RBC is committed to helping hockey happen from the grassroots level in communities across North America. As a premier partner of Hockey Canada, RBC is also an official sponsor of Canada's men's and women's national teams, the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, Canada's National Junior A Championship -the RBC Cup, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and this week's Esso Cup Championship.
To apply for a grant or for more information about the RBC Play Hockey program, visit http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/rbcplayhockey.html

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Sheila Kerry
Media Relations and Communications Officer
Integrated Communications

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