Press Releases

17-02-10 14:29

LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO HELP BUILD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Toronto – As part of their ongoing efforts to build high school football in the GTA, the Toronto Argonauts and The Argos Foundation are pleased to announce that the Level The Playing Field program, sponsored by Tim Hortons, is back for a second season and is in the process of accepting applications from Toronto District School Board (TDSB) high schools for grants to help establish or re-establish a football team at a school which currently does not have its own team and grants for program revitalization which would help an existing team improve the quality and/or safety of its football program.

 

 In its inaugural year, the Level the Playing Field program helped return football teams to four Toronto-area high schools with a $10,000 donation to each school.  The four TDSB high schools which fielded football teams and were part of Level The Playing Field were North Albion Collegiate, C.W. Jefferys Collegiate, Eastern Commerce and Lester B. Pearson.  More than funding, Level The Playing Field features mentorship, education and events including Argos player ambassadors, cheerleader ambassadors, pep rallies and an Argos Game Day to honour each high school football team.  Additionally, the Toronto Argonauts continued its subsidy of athletic therapists at all TDSB football games for a second year, thereby ensuring the health and safety of all high school football players. 

 

Audley Salmon, Principal, C.W. Jefferys Collegiate, commented on the return of football to his school, “Football at Jefferys has created an opportunity for some of my most vulnerable kids to feel a part of something much bigger than themselves.  It has shown kids that hard work on the field or in the classroom will be rewarded. And more than anything else, football has brought my staff, students and community together around a common goal and has given us a sense of pride.” 

 

Bob Nicholson, President and CEO, Toronto Argonauts, remarked, “Building and supporting high school, grassroots and minor football is paramount to what we at the Argos do in our community.  Level The Playing Field is a program that helps to return football to high schools that have lost their football teams and strengthen programs in schools with existing football teams.  These high schools could develop future CFL players and engage young fans of today.  It has been wonderful seeing these teams come together and we look forward to continuing to work with the TDSB and Tim Hortons on this program in 2010 and beyond.”

 

Guidelines and applications for the 2010 Level The Playing Field program can be found by clicking here.  Applications are due by February 26, 2010.

 

The Toronto Argonauts are North America’s oldest professional football club, celebrating their 137th anniversary in 2010.  As Toronto’s #1 community team through player involvement, community programs and The Argos Foundation, the Toronto Argonauts, a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL), have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit.  For 2010 season ticket and group sales packages, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO.  For more information on the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, please visit argonauts.ca.