CIBC Team Next to invest $2 million to help young athletes reach their
full potential with high-profile mentors, financial support and life
coaching
TORONTO, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) is proud to
announce the CIBC Team Next program - a $2 million investment to assist
67 young athletes who aspire to realize their dreams and represent
Canada on the world stage.
In addition to providing amateur athletes with financial support, the
program will provide invaluable opportunities to develop important
career and life skills, along with mentorship from world class Canadian
athletes, including Simon Whitfield, Bruny Surin, Kara Lang, Josh
Cassidy, Mary Spencer and Mark de Jonge.
"As Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, we are
proud to help create a lasting sport legacy in Canada through CIBC Team
Next," said Richard Nesbitt, Chief Operating Officer, CIBC. "We know
that Canada's young athletes, and their families, make many sacrifices
to develop their athletic talents. We are proud to provide support as
they balance their sports commitments with their education and career
goals."
"I am excited to be a mentor and share my experiences with these young
athletes," said Simon Whitfield, Pan Am, World Cup and Olympic champion
and CIBC Team Next mentor. "What I love about the program is that it
not only helps athletes fund the training camps, international
competitions and equipment that are a big part of their relentless
pursuit of excellence, but also provides them with valuable life skills
that will serve them well in their athletic career and beyond. I wish I
had access to a program like this when I was starting out."
Each of the 67 athletes selected will receive:
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A $5,000 annual grant for the next three years ($15,000 total)
-
Mentorship from prominent Canadian athletes: Simon Whitfield, Kara Lang,
Josh Cassidy, Mary Spencer, Mark de Jonge and Bruny Surin
-
Workshops and advice on personal finances, post-secondary and career
planning, social media training and public speaking
-
Exclusive access to the CIBC Team Next idea sharing forum
-
Community support and networking opportunities through the local CIBC
branches and employees in their home community
-
Preferred CIBC products and services
"I am thrilled to see CIBC's sponsorship of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and
Parapan Am Games extended to support the development of Canada's up and
coming young athletes," said the Hon. Bal Gosal, MP, Minister of State
(Sport). "I applaud the establishment of CIBC Team Next as a robust
program that will invest in 67 young and talented Canadian athletes
with both financial support as well as fundamental life skills and
advice that will help them in all their future endeavours."
To be considered for CIBC Team Next, athletes must be nominated by their
respective sport organizations. The program is being administered for
CIBC by AthletesCAN and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, who will also
manage the final selection process. For more information on the program
and how to apply, please visit facebook.com/cibc.
"TO2015 is excited to support CIBC Team Next as part of the legacy of
the Games," said Ian Troop, CEO of TO2015. "By investing in the
athletic success of 67 young Canadians, CIBC's program will have a
lasting impact not just on the athletes, but on the sport community as
a whole."
"AthletesCAN is pleased to partner with CIBC to deliver the CIBC Team
Next program," said Jasmine Northcott, Executive Director,
AthletesCAN. "This is a tangible investment in athletes early in their
competitive careers, when traditionally resources have been scarcest,
and provides a platform for communities across Canada to get behind our
athletes as we cheer them on in 2015 and beyond."
CIBC's investment of $2 million in the program is in addition to $2
million legacy investments already committed in support of Canada's
youth related to the Pan/Parapan Am Games, including sport-related CIBC
Youthvision scholarships, and programs for Aboriginal youth.
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 11 million
personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of
products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking
network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the
United States and around the world. You can find other news releases
and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website
at www.cibc.com.
SOURCE: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
