Goodyear Canada and Gold Medallist Sami Jo Small Looking for 'Get There'
Award Winners

    
           Goodyear 'Get There' Awards Honor Individuals Who Help
                  Young Canadian Athletes Reach Their Goals
    

TORONTO, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - In a nod to the tires that help millions of Canadians reach their destinations every day, Goodyear has enlisted three-time Olympian and five-time World Champion ice hockey star Sami Jo Small to help identify the Canadians who help our future athletes achieve their dreams by driving to practices, games and competitions. The Goodyear 'Get There' Awards will highlight the often little-known stories of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes every day to help young athletes get there - from early morning practices to the world's most famous sporting events.

"Growing up on the outdoor hockey rinks of Winnipeg, as the only girl on my team I needed to prove that I belonged through hard work and determination every day, and I couldn't do it alone," says Small. "The Goodyear 'Get There' Awards reinforce the fact that behind every great athlete is a support network that dedicates many hours to helping them get there, often behind the wheel."

Canadians are encouraged to nominate individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to get to games, practices, training sessions, tournaments and competitions involving young athletes through the year. The nomination form can be found at www.goodyear.ca.

A special panel of judges, headed by Sami Jo Small, will select three recipients from all of the nominees to receive a Goodyear 'Get There' Award, including a set of premium Goodyear tires (valued up to $1,500 CAN).

"The nominations are arriving from all over the country. We know it will be difficult to select just three recipients from among all the stories received, as each individual nominated shows an outstanding commitment to helping Canada's aspiring athletes 'get there' each and every week," said Julie Thomson, Goodyear Canada. "We are so proud to be recognizing and celebrating the people who tirelessly give young Canadians the opportunity to enrich their lives through participating in sports at all levels."

Nominations close Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:59 p.m ET.

About Goodyear Canada

Goodyear Canada Inc. is a leading manufacturer of tires for automotive and commercial/industrial markets. The company has operations and offices in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, in addition to a national network of committed independent retailers. Goodyear Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio.

For further information: Environics Communications: Jennifer Hills, [phone], [email protected]; Carrie Makrigiannis, [phone], [email protected]