This Week's BMO Winner-The Southend United Sharks

May 2012

As part of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Financial Group today announced the third 2012 BMO Team of the Week winner. The Southend United Sharks - a group of U-12 girls from London, Ontario - were recognized for their strong team spirit and efforts within the community. "I have watched these girls develop as athletes over the past three years. Through their coaches, their teammates, and their love of soccer, they have learned some of the most valuable lessons: Try hard, respect your opponent, and stick with it, even when the tides are against you," said Judith Lo, Head Coach of the Southend United Sharks. "These small and mighty girls keep getting up, coming back, trying harder, and getting better. Look out for another Shark Attack!" "This recognition goes beyond the scoreboard and ball-handling skills," said David Blyth, District Vice-President, Southwest Ontario, BMO Bank of Montreal. "The players' involvement with Relay for Life also speaks to their passion for reaching out to the community as a whole. Last season their participation raised over $2,500 and allowed these young athletes to connect with survivors, share stories on how cancer has touched their lives, and learn about the power of giving to the community. Congratulations to the Sharks on a well deserved BMO Team of the Week win!"
The Southend United Sharks' team profile can be viewed at www.BMOsoccer.com
About BMO Team of the Week!
BMO Team of the Week is Canada's premier sport celebration at the grassroots level, engaging a nation and inspiring communities by recognizing youth soccer teams who demonstrate team pride, team spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. Fifteen weekly winners will be named BMO Team of the Week and entered for a chance to be voted by Canadians as BMO Team of the Week 2012 Champion. The grand prize for the winning team is a $125,000 prize towards a field refurbishment of their community soccer field, a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact, or Canadian National Team home game, and a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice.
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FC London on firmer ground

May 2012

It's time for FC London to take the next step. Since by the team's own admission this is a transition year, there is no better time than right now to reaffirm their position as the No. 1 soccer club in London. FC London is entering Year 4 of their existence in the USL Premier Development League. The team came out of the gate flying, drawing big fans numbers and plenty of attention. FC London has been successful on the pitch since entering the league. The team has qualified for the playoffs all three years. But the bloom has come off the rose a little. FC London is still a well run organization, but the excitement level has gone off the boil a tad. That isn't unusual, especially in soccer circles. Sustaining a constant buzz is difficult. Last season was lukewarm in terms of excitement. Part of that was due to a flattening of their calibre of play on field. So FC London has done a number of things on the field to restore some of that excitement before opening the season in Toronto on May 20.
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FC London preps for 2012

April 2012

FC London is poised to continue building on its winning tradition in the Premier Development League this summer. "We have had a great amount of success, making the playoffs in our first three years," said head coach Martin Painter. "We are looking forward to continuing that tradition in 2012. We will have some returning faces and some exciting new players." Some of those new faces will include native Londoners, many of whom are playing in the United States on scholarship, trying to crack the 2012 roster. They include Brandon Mendes, Steven Miller, Matt Bogart, and Ryan Pereira (younger brother of FC London midfielder Michael Pereira).
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London City - Here to stay and ready to play

April 2012

London native Andrew Crowe is the new owner of London City Soccer. "As a sports enthusiast, I was presented with the opportunity of purchasing London city and I saw it as a great opportunity with both the CSL and London City having much potential," said Crowe. Once the negotiations were said and done, Crowe decided to bring on Manuel Hernandez as the team’s general manager. Hernandez brings experience as a player and a coach in soccer, complimented by a marketing background, which he studied at the University of Guelph, plus great people skills.
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Marconi Club celebrates 50 years

When David De Benedicts walks through the Marconi Club he's greeted with handshakes, pats on the back and personal conversations with people almost twice his age. The pleasantries aren't because of the 35-year-old's title as the club's soccer president, but rather a tradition he's grown up with,
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Mustangs give reins to Painter UNIVERSITY SOCCER

Martin Painter, a member of the Western Mustangs national championship-winning men's soccer team in 1999, has been named head coach of the Mustangs women's soccer program. He returns to Western -- replacing Dave Peak -- after five seasons as head coach of the Fanshawe Falcons women's team. In addition, he has served as head coach of FC London of the USL Premier Development League the past three seasons and will continue in that role.
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Jason de Vos to be inducted into London Sports Hall of Fame!

Jason De Vos one of the finest international athletes ever developed on the playing fields of London, Ontario, was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame on November 3, 2011. Born in London, and raised in the nearby village of Appin, Jason captained Canada's national soccer team to one of its greatest triumphs when it won the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean, in 2000. He began his senior career as a 15 year old high schooler with the London Lazers in the Canadian Soccer League in 1990, moved on to the Kitchener Spirit of the same league in 1991, then back to London in 1992.
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BMO Centre becomes reality Oct. 22!

By John Matisz (LCN)

Since an original vision was crafted in his head 15 years ago, Tom Partalas has been on a mission to bring a state-of-the-art facility to the Forest City's indoor soccer community. On Oct. 22, it will all come full circle with the official opening of the BMO Centre. At the Rectory Street venue Wednesday (Oct.5), with a construction crew putting on finishing touches in the background, Partalas, 61, the president of the London Optimists and director of marketing Greg Matthison, watch from the second floor. The two digress about soccer's place in London's sports scene, insisting the timing couldn't be better for the unveiling of such a top-notch facility. Article Read More »