Montreal Impact Awards Its Annual Bursaries
Published on November 28, 2009 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - Eight promising young soccer players from across the province were awarded Saturday a Montreal Impact bursary during the Quebec Soccer Federation's Annual Meeting, held at the Auberge Universel Hotel, in Montreal.
Players aged 15 to 17 shared a total amount of $12,000 divided into four bursaries of $2,000 (Elite category) and four bursaries of $1,000 (Hopeful category).
"We value highly the effort and dedication of local athletes to surpass themselves in their discipline and we are proud to encourage promising talent from Quebec once again this year," said Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo. "Local players are an invaluable resource that we wish to develop and bring to their full potential. By investing in young people through the bursary program, we are expressing our will to see the pool of Quebec talent spread, which by the same token, will allow our sport to branch out in a sustainable and continuous manner."
"The Montreal Impact Bursary Program is a concrete example of the club's desire to be present in the Quebec community. This not only represents significant financial support for the young recipients, but it also serves as a major source of motivation, encouraging athletes to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence," declared Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence executive director Pierre Dubé.
Radio-Canada Sports, new partner of the Foundation, becomes the official presenter of the Montreal Impact Bursary Program. Official broadcaster of the Montreal Impact matches, of the 2010 World Cup and various other FIFA tournaments, this partnership will enable Radio-Canada to contribute to the development of Quebec's soccer elite.
"Soccer is the most practiced sport in the province and the recent successes of the Montreal Impact demonstrate how it can raise passions when our home team excells at it," mentioned Radio-Canada director of sports Mr. Francois Messier. "As national broadcasters, it's important for us to promote talented young athletes who can act as role models and inspire young Radio-Canada audiences."
The Montreal Impact Bursaries program, created in 2005 and now in its fifth edition, is managed by the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, in collaboration with the Quebec Soccer Federation, which identifies the elite and hopeful athletes.
In 2009, the Montreal Impact became three-time USL First Division champions, while its reserve team, the Trois-Rivières Attak, won its first championship in its short Canadian Soccer League history.
2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE MONTREAL IMPACT BURSARIES PROGRAM
NAME LAST NAME AGE CATEGORY BURSARY RESIDENCE
Matthew Alfonzetti 16 Hopeful $1,000 Laval
Maxime Crépeau 15 Hopeful $1,000 Candiac
Michelot Hyacinthe 15 Hopeful $1,000 Laval
Jean Lamothe 15 Hopeful $1,000 Longueuil
Hugo Lapointe-Senécal 16 Elite $2,000 St-Augustin
Karl W. Ouimette 17 Elite $2,000 Terrebonne
Samuel Piette 15 Elite $2,000 Le Gardeur
Alessandro Riggi 15 Elite $2,000 Montreal
North American Soccer League Stories from November 28, 2009
- Montreal Impact Awards Its Annual Bursaries - Montreal Impact
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