Nissan Kickoff Project returns for third year to support nearly 1,200 students across Canada

- From coast-to-coast, the Nissan Kickoff Project will strengthen Canadian football and
breathe new life into local communities –

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 21, 2016 /CNW/ - The Nissan Kickoff Project officially launched for its third year to provide funding and support to struggling high school football programs across Canada. Starting with 12 schools across seven provinces, the Nissan Kickoff Project has returned to surprise Canadian high schools with the specific support they need to play football, including financial funding, equipment, uniforms and motivational events. This year, the program will help nearly 1,200 students from 26 schools nationally in 24 cities and eight provinces coast-to-coast.

"We are excited to announce that for the third year in a row, the Nissan Kickoff Project will be working with high schools across the country to give young Canadians the chance to learn and grow through the power of sport," said Joni Paiva, president, Nissan Canada Inc. "Nissan is committed to improving the communities we work in, and together with the CFL, we are hopeful that we will be able to continue making a real difference."

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 a crucial local level. For the program's third year, more than 25 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 on September 2 and has visited 12 high schools so far, including Churchill High School in Winnipeg on Saturday, September 17. The Nissan Kickoff Project surprised the students at Churchill on their Homecoming Day with a pep rally and an amplified home game experience. In addition, the Nissan Kickoff Project donated $10,000 worth of new jerseys, cleats and helmets to hopefully make the football program more attractive to new and existing students. Looking ahead, teams from 14 additional high schools will be surprised with a variety of support throughout September and October as the football season gets underway.

"Churchill High School is extremely grateful for such a wonderful donation," said Kirkland Harper, head coach of the Churchill High School football team. "The experience provided by the Nissan Kickoff Project and the Nissan dealers was incredible. Our players, program, and school are better off for the future thanks to Nissan."

Nissan has been a proud sponsor of the CFL for 10 years and their involvement is integral to the success of the Nissan Kickoff Project. This year, the CFL will be providing a number of significant contributions including valuable insights, donations of training equipment and special player appearances. The CFL will help train and motivate the next generation of Canadian football players, as well as teach the importance of teamwork, cooperation, hard work and friendship. The Nissan Kickoff Project, in partnership with the CFL, is hopeful that this experience will provide a positive influence that rallies the communities and the students together.

"We are excited once again to bring football to more students across Canada through our partnership with Nissan," said Jeffrey L. Orridge, CFL Commissioner. "The Nissan Kickoff Project has been a resounding success and I can't wait to see what the program's third year will bring. Together with Nissan, we have been able to bring football to communities throughout the country and provide students with the opportunity to play the game of football and all that comes with being on a team and staying active." 

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

Information, images and B-Roll of Nissan's full lineup are available at www.media.nissan.ca or upon request.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Nissan Canada Inc.
Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America, Inc. NCI directly employs 306 full-time staff across offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC). There are 191 independent Nissan dealerships, 39 Infiniti retailers and 45 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers across Canada. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards.

More information about Nissan in Canada and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissan.ca and www.infiniti.ca.

About the Canadian Football League
Today's CFL is more than just our great game of football. Its fans sharing their excitement for what they see on the field, and what they experience off it. Stay up to date on all the non-stop action at CFL.ca. And join all of Canada as we celebrate the 104^th Grey Cup, presented by Shaw, this November in Toronto. 

SOURCE Nissan Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "The Nissan Kickoff Project officially launched for its third year to provide funding and support to struggling high school football programs across Canada. (CNW Group/Nissan Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160921_C3266_PHOTO_EN_778554.jpg

Image with caption: "The Nissan Kickoff Project surprised the students at Churchill on their Homecoming Day with a pep rally and an amplified home game experience.. (CNW Group/Nissan Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160921_C3266_PHOTO_EN_778552.jpg

Image with caption: "Jeffrey L. Orridge, CFL Commissioner, and nine players representing all CFL teams across Canada, stand in line earlier this year at the Canadian International Auto Show with the Nissan TITAN Warrior Concept to showcase the longstanding partnership between the CFL and Nissan Canada. (CNW Group/Nissan Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160921_C3266_PHOTO_EN_778556.jpg

Media contacts: Stephanie Ronson, Cohn & Wolfe, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Didier Marsaud, Director, Corporate Communications, Nissan Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Paulo Senra, Director, Communications, CFL, Cell : 416-882-7919