CIS and Right To Play 'Go Shoeless' Initiative weekend

CIS would like to thank Heather Ambery and Anne Buchan for their work on the Go Shoeless logo and video

TORONTO - Right To Play and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) are joining forces to host "Go Shoeless", an awareness campaign taking place on the weekend of September 16-18, 2011. Coinciding with CBC, True Sport and ParticipACTION's Sports Day in Canada, coaches from over 30 universities will go shoeless to raise awareness for those who do not have access to sports and proper sporting equipment.

As the leading international humanitarian and development organization, Right To Play uses the transformative power of sport and play to build essential life skills in children, thereby driving social change in communities worldwide affected by war, poverty and disease.

Robert Witchel, Right To Play’s Canadian National Director is thrilled with the opportunity to work with CIS: “Both Right To Play and CIS share a common interest in promoting sport as a tool for development and fair play. We’re proud of this meaningful campaign that not only supports every child’s right to play, but allows Canadian athletes to enrich their educational experience and create a safer and healthier world through sport.”

“We are delighted that CIS coaches across the country are taking off their shoes and braving the elements to raise awareness for every child’s right to play,” said Marg McGregor, chief executive officer of CIS. “CIS coaches are role models and leaders in their communities and this gesture sends an important message.”

During the inaugural “Go Shoeless” campaign, rugby, football and soccer coaches will be participating. A list of schools participating (as of September 13th, 2011) is as follows:

Acadia University	Football vs. McGill @ Acadia	Sat. Sept. 17
UBC - Okanagan	Soccer vs. Thompson Rivers University @ TRU	Sat. Sept. 17
Bishop’s University	Women’s Rugby vs. Concordia @ Concordia	Fri. Sept. 16
Brock University	Soccer vs. University of Waterloo @ Brock	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Calgary	Soccer vs. University of Lethbridge @ Calgary	Sat. Sept. 17
Cape Breton University	Soccer vs. Memorial @ CBU	Sat. Sept. 17
Carleton University	Soccer vs. Laurentian University @ Laurentian	Sat. Sept. 17
Concordia University	Women’s Soccer vs. McGill @ McGill Women’s Rugby vs. Bishop’s University @ Concordia Football vs. St. Francis Xavier University @ Concordia	Fri. Sept. 16 Fri. Sept. 16 Sat. Sept. 17
Dalhousie University	Soccer vs. Moncton @ Moncton	Sat. Sept. 17
Laurentian University	Soccer vs. Carleton @ Laurentian	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Lethbridge	Soccer vs. Calgary @ Calgary	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Manitoba	Football vs. Saskatchewan @ Manitoba	Sat. Sept. 17
Université de Moncton	Soccer vs. Dalhousie @ Moncton	Sat. Sept. 17
McMaster University	Football vs. Windsor @ Windsor Women’s Rugby vs. York @ McMaster	Sat. Sept. 17 Sat. Sept. 17
McGill University	Football vs. Acadia @ Acadia Women’s Soccer vs. Concordia @ McGill	Sat. Sept. 17 Sat. Sept. 17
Memorial University	Soccer vs. Cape Breton University @ CBU	Sat. Sept. 17
Mount Allison University	Soccer vs. UPEI @ Mt.A	Sat. Sept. 17
University of New Brunswick	Soccer vs. SMU @ UNB	Sat. Sept. 17
Nipissing University	Women’s Soccer vs. uOttawa at Nipissing	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Ottawa	Women’s Soccer vs. Nipissing @ Nipissing	Sat. Sept. 17
University of PEI	Men’s Soccer vs. MtA @ MtA	Sun. Sept 18
Queen’s University	Soccer @ Trent University	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Saskatchewan	Football vs. Manitoba @ Manitoba	Sat. Sept. 17
Saint Mary’s University	Soccer vs. UNB @ UNB	Sat. Sept. 17
Trent University	Soccer vs. Queen’s @ Trent	Sat. Sept. 17
Thompson Rivers University	Men’s Soccer vs. UBC-O @ TRU	Sat. Sept. 17
Trinity Western University	Women’s Soccer vs. Regina @ TWU	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Waterloo	Women’s Rugby vs. Wilfrid Laurier @ WLU Soccer vs. Brock @ Brock	Sat. Sept. 17 Sat. Sept. 17
University of Western Ontario	Women’s Rugby vs. Guelph @ Western	Sat. Sept. 17
Wilfrid Laurier University	Women’s Rugby vs. Waterloo @ WLU	Sat. Sept. 17
University of Windsor	Football vs. McMaster @ Windsor	Sat. Sept. 17

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) will feature, as part of The Score’s University Rush broadcast, a football match-up between the University of Toronto and the University of Guelph which will feature the coaching staff sporting Right To Play ball caps and appearances by Right To Play ambassadors. (Guelph @ Toronto airs on September 17th at 1 p.m. EST live on The Score).