Canada's Largest Sporting Goods Retailer Signs Partnership Agreement with Christine Sinclair

TORONTO, May 30, 2013 /CNW/ - As Canada's Women's National Team prepares for a rematch with the United States on June 2 in Toronto, the Canadian Tire Family of Companies is excited to welcome Christine Sinclair to its team with a four year partnership.

The announcement is an extension of the sport partnership announcement made earlier this year that positioned Canadian Tire, Sport Chek and Sports Experts as official sporting goods store and Mark's as official clothing retailer of the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA).

Sport enriches family life and helps build communities. The Company supports amateur athletes and active families from playground to podium because it knows what it takes to succeed in whatever sporting activity Canadians choose to compete and because it believes in the power of sport.

"Christine and Canada's Women's National Team inspired Canadians from coast-to-coast with their tremendous performance in London and we want to continue that excitement by encouraging families to get out and play," said Landon French, Vice President Sports Partnerships and Events, Canadian Tire.

As part of its commitment to soccer and to inspiring young athletes, Canadian Tire is sending over 450 youth soccer players to the Canada vs US rematch. The Family of Companies is also making a donation of soccer equipment in Sinclair's name to her local public school in Burnaby, British Columbia, and Mary Shadd Public School in Toronto.   

"Canadian Tire is one of the most recognizable brands in the country, and I am thrilled to join the Family of Companies," said Christine Sinclair. "Canadian Tire's support for athletes of all skill levels, whether they are starting out on the playground, or competing at an international level, continues to encourage and further demonstrates their commitment to get more families healthy and active."

Christine is an inspiration for Canadians and will help extend the Family of Companies' support of sport through marketing programs, at the community level as a Jumpstart ambassador, and helping to develop skills grassroots programming.

This new partnership builds on a strong foundation of existing partnerships not only with the Canadian Soccer Association but with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Canada Games, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Hockey Canada, Snowboard Canada, Alpine Canada and athlete partnerships with Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Rosie MacLennan. The Canadian Tire Family of Companies will continue to announce new athlete sponsorship agreements in 2013, supporting Canada's best and brightest talent.

About Canadian Tire Corporation
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC.a) (TSX:CTC) is a Family of Companies that includes Canadian Tire Retail, Partsource, Gas+, FGL Sports (Sport Chek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts, National Sports, Intersport and Atmosphere), Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services.  With more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast, our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Playing and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division. Over 85,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands. For more information, visit Corp.CanadianTire.ca. 

About Christine Sinclair
Christine Sinclair has spent 13 years with Canada's Women's National Team, participated in three FIFA World Cups and two Olympic Games.  She is a 10-time winner of the Canada Soccer Player of the Year and has been nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year six-times.

In 2012, Sinclair won both the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's Athlete of the Year and the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's Female Athlete of the Year.  Her remarkable effort as team captain at the 2012 London Olympic Games and her performance in the semifinal, earned her the honor of serving as Canada's flag bearer in the closing ceremonies, as well as the Diamond Jubilee Medal. 

At the age of 29, Sinclair is the all-time leader in goals scored for Canada's Women's National Team and is the third overall in all-time international goals scored by a female player with 145 to-date.  In additional to her outstanding performance record, Sinclair is a true leader and her passion for the sport of soccer continues to inspire a generation of young soccer players across Canada and the world.

Image with caption: "Canadian Tire Family of Companies and Christine Sinclair kick-off four year partnership with soccer equipment donation at Mary Shadd Public School this morning in Toronto (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130530_C3728_PHOTO_EN_27315.jpg

SOURCE: CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED