National Bank and Tennis Canada renew partnership to develop emerging generation of Canadian tennis players

MONTREAL, July 19, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - National Bank of Canada and Tennis Canada are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership for a six-year term. As the only financial institution in Canada with a commitment to the sport of tennis, National Bank is pledging its support through until 2022 via a number of initiatives aimed specifically at fostering development of the next generation of players in both the professional and amateur ranks, while continuing to help bring the sport's top international stars to tournaments in Canada.

"The Bank is pleased to renew its partnership with Tennis Canada. Our goal is clear: to encourage Canadian talent – and there is plenty – to develop to its full potential," says National Bank President and CEO Louis Vachon. "Our home-grown athletes are increasingly present at all competitive levels and we are truly proud of it."

"National Bank is an essential ally of our sport. Its unwavering support has enabled us to develop numerous players. We are incredibly privileged to be able to team up with such an engaged partner as National Bank," said Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of Tennis Canada. "Our two organizations have a unique relationship, and many tennis fans will tell you that the National Bank's initiatives have made a huge contribution to developing their passion for this sport," added Eugène Lapierre, vice-president, professional tennis, Quebec, Tennis Canada.

The partnership between National Bank and Tennis Canada brings a wealth of benefits for young athletes as well as for the community at large. Examples include:

• The Canada-wide National Bank Little Aces talent-recruitment program, designed for children ages six to eight.
• On the Ball, a program whereby thousands of used tennis balls are collected and placed on the bottoms of classroom chair legs to reduce noise and help students concentrate. 
• Development tournaments like the Challenger Tour, which give many young Canadian players their first taste of international competition and allow them to earn ITF points toward their world ranking.
• The Rogers Cup, presented by National Bank each year in Montreal and Toronto, offering fans the opportunity to see the world's greatest players in action.

1,000 free tickets to the Rogers Cup presented by National Bank
To celebrate the renewed partnership, National Bank will be distributing 1,000 free tickets to Rogers Cup matches—500 in Montreal and 500 in Toronto. The tickets will be handed out at the Rogers Cup launch events, taking place July 20 and 21 on McGill College Avenue in Montreal and at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. Tickets will also be available at the National Bank kiosks during the free Family Weekend events on July 23 and 24 in both Montreal and Toronto. Ticket distribution times will be posted on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA
With $221 billion in assets as at April 30, 2016, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.   

ABOUT TENNIS CANADA
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennis in Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation and excellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATP World Tour events, 10 professional ITF-sanctioned events and financially supports 12 other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national junior training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada, please visit our website at www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Bank of Canada

Image with caption: "Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Bank, Kelly Murumets, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada, Charlotte Robillard-Millette, tennis player, Tennis Canada, Eugène Lapierre, Senior Vice-President, Quebec Professional Tennis, Tennis Canada, Yann Jodoin, Senior Vice-President, Client Strategies, Marketing and Branding, National Bank alongside young players from National Bank Little Aces program. (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160719_C1526_PHOTO_EN_737737.jpg

Anik Le Marquand, NATIONAL Public Relations, Tel.: [phone] / Cell: 514 502-0578, [email protected]