TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 7, 2013) - BMO Financial Group today launched the official voting period to select the BMO Team of the Week 2013 champion. Voting is open to all Canadians from August 5 to August 19.

The team with the most votes will be named the BMO Team of the Week 2013 Champion and will win $125,000 towards the refurbishment of their local soccer field, a team trip to see a Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Canadian National Team home game, plus $5,000 for a charity of their choice. The winner will be announced on TSN's MLS coverage and TVA's Coup d'oeil.

"We've just finished naming our 15 weekly BMO Team of the Week winners and now it's time for Canadians to rise to the challenge and vote for this year's champion," said Justine Fedak, Senior Vice President, Branding, Advertising & Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. "Last year nearly 300,000 Canadians participated, and this year we'd like even more people to take part in the voting.

"So tell us which team you believe best exemplifies team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. Remember - your favourite team can't win unless you vote," added Ms. Fedak.

From April 17 to July 12, Canadian soccer coaches and parents submitted nominations for their favourite youth soccer teams, explaining why their team deserved to be the BMO Team of the Week. Fifteen weekly winners were selected by a panel of judges, each receiving a $500 team prize, $500 for their charity of choice, BMO Team of the Week track suits, and a celebration at a local BMO branch.

About the 15 BMO Team of the Week Finalists

Week #1 - Hollandia Gremio

Week #2 - Monteuil Sparta

Week #3 - Blizzard Bayern

Week #4 - St. Catharines Roma

Week #5 - Coastal FC Thunder

Week #6 - Cambridge United

Week #7 - Scotia Soccer Club Tier 2 U12A Girls

Week #8 - Harbour City FC - Team France

Week #9 - Scottish United U12 Girls

Week #10 - Cataraqui Clippers U12 Girls

Week #11 - Aurora Stingers U9 Girls

Week #12 - Halifax Dunbrack U10B Girls

Week #13 - North Vancouver Surge

Week #14 - FC Brossard U10 Boys

Week #15 - Red Deer Renegades

About BMO Team of the Week

BMO Team of the Week is Canada's premier sport celebration at the grassroots level, engaging a nation and inspiring communities by recognizing youth soccer teams who demonstrate team pride, team spirit, community commitment and passion for the game. Fifteen weekly winners have been named BMO Team of the Week and entered for a chance to be voted by Canadians as BMO Team of the Week 2013 Champion. The grand prize includes a $125,000 refurbishment of the winning team's community soccer field, a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home game, plus a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice.