NFL and BlackRock Canada put spotlight on Canada’s amateur football coaches

Winners of national grassroots program to receive BlackRock Canada bursaries for young players and thousands of dollars in new equipment for their football programs

Toronto, ON – October 21, 2014−The National Football league today launched its annual search for coaches who have positively impacted young Canadians.

The NFL Youth Coach of the Year award, now in its 16th year and presented by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an industry-leading investment management and services provider,  is designed to recognize active community or high school level volunteer coaches across Canada who dedicate themselves to the development of young players both on and off the field.

“Volunteer coaches are the backbone of amateur football in Canada, and their efforts deserve recognition,” said Derek Gross, Director, Corporate Partnerships, NFL Canada. “We encourage anyone who knows a selfless volunteer football coach to nominate them for recognition.”

Over the past 15 years the program, which focuses on positive impact rather than wins and losses, has contributed more than $180,000 in equipment and facility upgrades to deserving programs. Any Canadian can nominate a coach for recognition.

“Good coaches build character and instill values that encourage the right behaviours for success, both on and off the field,” added Noel Archard, Managing Director, Head of BlackRock Canada. “BlackRock Canada is committed to helping Canadians reach their investing goals and understands how the commitment and dedication of these leaders inspire others to achieve success. We are proud to contribute again this year to the recognition and rewarding of the most dedicated of these individuals.”

Nominations can be submitted at www.NFLcoachoftheyear.ca on or before Monday November 17, 2014.

Nominators are asked to submit a short essay recognizing the positive impact the volunteer high school or community coach has on young players. Nominators are asked to consider how the coach teaches respect, safety, motivation, leadership and appreciation for the game of football when drafting their nominations.

The winning coach will be selected by a panel of journalists from across Canada, NFL, BlackRock Canada and Football Canada representatives. Shortlisted coaches will be announced via press release and posted online (NFL.com) on Thursday November 20, 2014. Winner and runners-up will be announced via press release and posted online (NFL.com) on Tuesday December 2, 2014.

$5,000 of new football equipment will be donated to the winning coach’s program.

BlackRock Canada will help cement the winning coach’s legacy, creating $5,000 in bursaries that will assist young football players in the coach’s community who are in financial need. Two runners-up schools will each receive $2,000 in equipment.

Past winners:

• 1999: Mike Tanner, Queen Elizabeth High School, Halifax, NS
• 2000: Mitch Chuvalo, Western Technical Commercial High School, Toronto, ON
• 2001: Paul Normandeau, Kelvin High School, Winnipeg, MB
• 2002: Gordon Judges, St. Mary Catholic High School, Pickering, ON
• 2003: Paul Kerber, Western Canada High School, Calgary, AB
• 2004: Kevin Campbell, Hammarskjold High School, Thunder Bay, ON.
• 2005: Jeff Yanchus, John F. Ross CVI, Guelph, ON.
• 2006: Dan Del Mastro, Michael Power Catholic Secondary, Toronto, ON.
• 2007: Jeff Green, Chatham-Kent Secondary, Chatham, ON.
• 2008: Quinn Skelton, Medicine Hat High School, Medicine Hat, AB.
• 2009: Bruce Waddell, Parkwest Outlaws, Shoal Lake, MB.
• 2010: John Svenson, Melville Comprehensive School, Melville, SK.
• 2011: Rick Gilson, Grande Prairie Composite High School, Grande Prairie, AB
• 2012: Dave Hocking, London Minor Football, London, ON
• 2013: Quentin Tynes, Halifax Minor Football, Halifax, NS

About BlackRock:

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At September 30, 2014, BlackRock’s AUM was $4.525 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares^® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions^®. Headquartered in New York City, as of September 30, 2014, the firm had approximately 12,100 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock_news | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

This post is also available in: French