The Forzani Group Ltd. and Alberta Alpine Launch Innovative Partnership That Looks Beyond 2010

By: Forzani Group | 1 Shares 100 Reads

CALGARY, ALBERTA --(Marketwire) - Looking to build on the momentum of alpine skiing in Alberta, The Forzani Group Ltd. (TSX:FGL), Canada's largest retailer of sporting goods, and Alberta Alpine announced an innovative five-year partnership to ensure Alberta remains a leader in athlete development.

The five-year agreement builds a partnership focused on bringing the sport of alpine ski racing to enthusiasts across the province. Sport Chek, a corporate banner of The Forzani Group Ltd. will become the presenting sponsor of the Jasper Junior Olympics, an event featuring 350 young ski racers ages 6-10 years-old; the Regional Kinder Series, a recreational race series run out of Edmonton and Red Deer for athletes 12-14 years-old; the Norquay Spring Festival, a season wrap-celebration for AASA members; as well as the co-sponsor of the FIS Alberta Cup Finals.

Sport Chek will additionally provide direct athlete support through two annual scholarships to leading athletes in the province and support the fundraising programs of Alberta Alpine.

"Building effective partnerships that provide crucial event support and to give sport organizations the tools to raise funds to invest in their athletes is the best way we can make a difference," said Tom Quinn, President and COO of The Forzani Group Ltd., "We are very pleased to establish a long-term agreement with Alberta Alpine and become more directly involved with the skiing community at the grassroots level. We support Alberta Alpine in their efforts for development of ski racing in this province and we look forward to jointly building programs that strengthen our business and enhances access to skiing for our customers."

"To partner with an organization that values long term investment in athletes and sport enables Alberta Alpine to truly build world-class programs" says Alberta Alpine President, Ken Read. "The Forzani Group is demonstrating corporate leadership - the importance of giving our youth the opportunity to pursue excellence, stepping up to assist us in raising dollars to invest in future champions. Our partnership will create enthusiasm at the grassroots level, which we believe will grow participation in alpine skiing and attract families and young athletes to aspire to one day be Canadian champions."



Sport Chek Regional Kinder Race Series Schedule

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Date                    Location                 Host Club            Event

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Jan 9                   Rabbit Hill              RHSC                 SL

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Jan 16                  Edmonton Ski Club        ESC                  SL

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Jan 30                  Sunridge                 SRSC                 GS

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Feb 7                   Red Deer                 RDSC                 SL

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Feb 20                  Snow Valley              SVSC                 SL

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Mar 13 - 14             Marmot Basin             North Zone           GS -SL

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Other Sport Chek events throughout the 2009-10 Season

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Date          Event                     Location              Age Group

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Feb 27-28     Jasper Junior Olympics    Marmot Basin, Jasper  6-10 yrs old

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April 1-3     Alberta Cup Finals        Nakiska, AB           15-19 yrs old

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April 18      Spring Festival           Norquay, AB           Spring ski                                                                           festival all ages

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About The Forzani Group Ltd.

The Company is Canada's largest national retailer of sporting goods, offering a comprehensive assortment of brand-name and private-brand products, operating stores from coast to coast, under the following corporate and franchise banners: Sport Chek, Coast Mountain Sports, Sport Mart, Athletes World, National Sports, Sports Experts, Intersport, Econosports, Atmosphere, Tech Shop, Pegasus, Nevada Bob's Golf, Hockey Experts, The Fitness Source, and S3.

About Alberta Alpine

Alberta Alpine is the sport governing body for athlete development in alpine ski racing for athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials members and over 25,000 supporting members. Alberta Alpine manages programs from introductory levels to masters including the athletes of the Raymond James Alberta Ski Team.

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