Nissan: Nissan Kickoff Project to Support Students Across Canada for Fourth Consecutive Year

Mississauga, Ont. – Starting with six schools across three provinces, the Nissan Kickoff Project, in partnership with the Canadian Football League (CFL), has returned for its fourth consecutive year to surprise Canadian high schools with the specific support they need to play football. The Nissan Kickoff Project provides struggling high school football programs across Canada with financial funding, equipment, uniforms and motivational events. This year, the program will help nearly 800 students from 16 schools nationally in 12 cities and six provinces coast-to-coast.

“The Nissan Kickoff Project is back for its fourth consecutive year, and we are excited to build on the work that has already been done to give Canada’s next generation the opportunity to learn and grow on a team,” said Steve Rhind, director of marketing, Nissan Canada Inc. “The Nissan Kickoff Project has made a significant difference in a number of Canadian communities, and we are proud to continue providing high school football teams with the much-needed support they require.”

The Nissan Kickoff Project assists high schools that have the passion for the game, but are in need of resources to participate in football. Schools are then chosen in areas where Nissan dealers and, where possible, the CFL and its teams are able to take part at the crucial local level. For the program’s fourth year, more than 23 Nissan dealerships and four CFL teams, including the B.C. Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, are expected to participate on varying levels.

This year’s program began in October 2017 and has visited six high schools so far, including Harry Ainlay High School in Edmonton, AB on Friday, October 20. The Nissan Kickoff Project surprised the students at Harry Ainlay High School during their regular season game with an amplified game experience, including an appearance by the Edmonton Eskimos cheer team and mascots. In addition, the Nissan Kickoff Project donated $5,000 to each team to help grow the game of football in Canada. Looking ahead, 10 additional high schools will be surprised with a variety of support throughout October and November as the football season gets underway.

“The Nissan Kickoff Project will allow our program to replace old equipment with new, safer equipment for our players,” said Tyler Greenslade, coach of the Harry Ainlay Titans football team. “The entire experience with Nissan Canada was first class and our kids were lucky to be selected, as this is a memory that will last a lifetime.”

Nissan has been a proud sponsor of the CFL for 10 years, and will work with the CFL once again to help train and motivate the next generation of Canadian football players through the Nissan Kickoff Project. To date, the Nissan Kickoff Project has supported nearly 3,500 students from 72 schools nationally in 39 cities and nine provinces coast-to-coast. This year, the CFL will be providing a number of significant contributions including valuable insights, donations of training equipment and special player appearances. The Nissan Kickoff Project, in partnership with the CFL, is hopeful that this experience will encourage teamwork, cooperation, hard work and friendship, benefitting communities across Canada.

“I’m so proud of the success of the Nissan Kickoff Project,” said Randy Ambrosie, CFL Commissioner. “It’s been so wonderful to be part of this valuable program supporting the growth of our game that gives such great opportunities to Canadian communities. We’re excited to once again bring support, resources, and football to students in this fourth year.”

To follow this year’s journey on social media, please use #NissanKickoffProject.

 

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