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Team of the Week notches one for children's hospital

Ladner Storm donates $5,000 to charity of its choice

BMO Bank of Montreal and the Ladner Storm soccer team will celebrate the team's selection as the BMO Team of the Week for 2012 on Saturday as they present a cheque for $5,000 to the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation.

"It's a particular thrill for us to see children select B.C. Children's Hospital as a cause worthy of their support," said Teri Nicholas, president and CEO of the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation. "We are grateful to BMO and the Ladner Storm for their desire to support B.C.'s children and for their contributions to our community."

The Team of the Week title comes with a $125,000 prize towards a field refurbishment, a $5,000 donation to a charity of the team's choosing, plus a trip to see a Vancouver Whitecaps home game.

"We applaud the Ladner Storm girls' soccer team for this truly remarkable achievement. This team is a shining example of the best qualities that BMO Team of the Week competition hoped to instill: team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game," said Jennifer Muench, vice president, Vancouver district, BMO Bank of Montreal.

"The fact that they chose B.C. Children's Hospital for their $5,000 donation is fitting since it is also the charity of choice for BMO employees in British Columbia."

The Storm did extensive outreach to raise awareness and garner votes during the online contest, including team appearances at local grocery stores, reaching out to local politicians and putting up posters throughout Ladner.

"It was exciting to be recognized as a finalist, but winning the championship is an honour that means so much more," said Robb Semler, head coach of the U10 team.

"A lot of people believed in us and we saw incredible support. This win isn't just for the team and the Ladner Girls Soccer Club, it's for the community, and everyone who had faith in us."

BMO and the team will present the cheque to a representative of the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the BMO branch in Ladner.