OUA and Pioneer Energy extend partnership with Quest for the Cup Campus Tour

BURLINGTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce that longtime partner Pioneer Energy will be returning on a three-year agreement through the 2017-18 season, as the “Official Fuel Retailer” of OUA.

“Pioneer Energy has not only been one of the longest standing sponsors of OUA but has established itself as a leading supporter of amateur sport and student-athletes across Ontario,” said Gord Grace, OUA CEO. 

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Pioneer once again this season and with the programs and initiatives we’ve got planned, we’ll be connecting with student-athletes and fans on campus in a whole new way,” Grace continued.

Pioneer Energy Marketing Manager Cheryl Stubbs said the company values its long-term association with the OUA. “We are committed to fuelling a passion for achievement in all of the communities we serve, and the OUA embodies that spirit with programs that inspire and motivate young people to reach for the stars. It’s a great opportunity for us to invest in a brighter future.”

New for the 2015-16 season, the Quest for the Cup Campus Tour, fuelled by Pioneer, will travel across the province, visiting major OUA events and championships throughout the fall and winter seasons. 

Over the course of this season, the Quest for the Cup Campus Tour will visit 14 events and communities around Ontario to promote OUA student-athletes and competitions with an interactive OUA booth featuring contests, games and prizes, along with student-athlete displays and promotional materials.

The Quest for the Cup Campus Tour will make seven fall visits in conjunction with the following upcoming OUA.tv Marquee Matchup games:

• Week 6 – Friday, October 2 – Toronto @ York (Red-Blue Bowl)
• Week 6 – Saturday, October 3 – Carleton @ Ottawa (Panda Game)
• Week 7 – Friday, October 9 – Ottawa @ Laurier
• Week 8 – Saturday, October 17 – Windsor @ Guelph (OUA Tackles Cancer)
• Week 9 – Saturday, October 24 – Western @ McMaster
• Quarterfinals – Saturday, October 31^st – TBD @ TBD
• Semifinals – Saturday, November 7^th – TBD @ TBD
• 108^th Yates Cup – Saturday, November 14^th – TBD @ TBD

Throughout the Quest for the Cup Campus Tour, fans will have the opportunity to fill out a ballot and enter the #Road2Yates contest, presented by Pioneer, for a chance to win a trip to the 108^th Yates Cup.

In the winter, the Quest for the Cup Campus Tour will continue with seven additional stops in conjunction with the OUA.tv Marquee Matchup hockey and basketball games, with a focus on upcoming “School Day” games involving the local community.

In addition to the Quest for the Cup Campus Tour, OUA and Pioneer will continue to run Growing the Gridiron, a free, grassroots football program that teaches kids the fundamental skills of football (throwing, catching and kicking).  Pioneer is also the presenting sponsor of the Growing the Gridiron “Drill of the Week” weekly video series that feature standout OUA football players demonstrating drills to help future OUA student-athletes further develop their skills. 

To complement Growing the Gridiron, a winter sport specific program, Growing the Game, will also be introduced to help develop basketball at the grassroots level.  More information regarding Growing the Game will be available later in the fall.

Pioneer is also the presenting sponsor of the revamped Champions for Life community tours and school visits.  Champions for Life will take current and former OUA student-athletes to local schools and community locations in advance of our market driven championships to engage with young OUA fans and future student-athletes.

For more information on the Quest for the Cup Campus Tour and to find a stop near you, visit OUA.ca.

-OUA-

ABOUT PIONEER ENERGY

Pioneer Energy is a leading gasoline/convenience retailer serving communities across Ontario. We are a division of Parkland Fuel Corporation, one of North America's fastest growing distributors and marketers of fuels and lubricants. The Parkland family of brands delivers gasoline, diesel, propane, lubricants, heating oil and other high quality petroleum products to motorists, businesses, households and wholesale customers in Canada and the United States. Our mission is to be the partner of choice for our customers.

ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 20 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.

For additional information about Pioneer Energy, please contact:

Cheryl Stubbs
Marketing Manager
Pioneer Energy
905-633.3405
Cheryl.Stubbs@pioneeer.ca
pioneer.ca

For additional information about Parkland, please contact:

Elizabeth Wilcox
Manager, Corporate Communications
Parkland Fuel Corporation
5101, 333-96th Avenue NE
Calgary, AB  T3K 0S3
T - 403.567.2578
elizabeth.wilcox@parkland.ca
parkland.ca

For additional information about OUA, please contact:

Matthew Walker
Communications Coordinator
Ontario University Athletics
(905) 635-5510 x 207
matthew.walker@oua.ca
oua.ca