Tim Hortons: LTP Program

(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is extremely pleased to announce a new and exciting partnership with Tim Hortons as the new title sponsor of the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program. Under the terms of the new four-year agreement, Tim Hortons will help Softball Canada grow the program throughout the country.

“Our Learn to Play Program is an exceptional program to give young athletes their first experience with the sport of softball in a relaxed and fun-filled environment” said Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. “The program’s manual allows first time coaches and educators to feel comfortable they have the tools needed to teach young athletes about our sport. We would like to thank Tim Hortons for their assistance as the title sponsor of this fantastic program and we look forward to working with them to help increase participation at the grassroots level.”

Originally launched in 2004, the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program is a revolutionary way of introducing the sport of softball to children aged five to ten years old which falls in the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of Softball Canada’s Long Term Player Development Model. The program includes activities that foster the involvement of ALL players as they experience excitement, enjoyment and success. Activities and lead-up games are patterned after informal playground games that promise FUN and LOTS OF ACTION.

In addition to introducing the sport of softball to children, the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program is designed to be easily administered. The Learn to Play Manual is designed to be easily implemented by a volunteer coach and contains lesson plans, easy to follow instructions, a letter to parents about the program, progressions for teaching basic skills, and lead up games.

“Tim Hortons is very proud to introduce the Tim Hortons Learn to Play partnership with Softball Canada,” explains Rob Forbes, Senior Director Marketing and National Sponsorships.  “It is our hope that through this program even more children will have the opportunity to come out and have some fun, learn a new sport, and make some new friends. We believe that community programs such as this help create a foundation for a life-long appreciation of the benefits of team work and sportsmanship.”

About Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons Inc. is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of December 29, 2013, Tim Hortons had 4,485 system wide restaurants, including 3,588 in Canada, 859 in the United States and 38 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Gilles LeBlanc
Manager – Marketing and Communications
SoftballCanada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
gleblanc@softball.ca