Families throughout B.C. will have a chance to celebrate sport and the BC Lions' 2011 season as the Grey Cup trophy tours the province, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

From Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, the tour will consist of 15 public events in communities throughout British Columbia. Families, football fans and sport history buffs will have the chance to see the cup, take a photo and meet members of the BC Lions team, including quarterback Travis Lulay. Tour participants can have their photo taken at each tour stop, and download their image through the site: http://www.Yourcup.ca

Quotes:

Dennis Skulsky, president and CEO of the BC Lions -

"The BC Lions are grateful for the participation of the Province of British Columbia in helping to make this tour possible."

Quick Facts:

• The BC Lions defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23 on Nov. 27, 2011, at BC Place Stadium to win the 99th Grey Cup championship.
• The Lions' win was only the fourth time in the 99-year history of the Grey Cup that a home team has won the trophy. The Lions are the only team to have accomplished this feat twice.
• The Grey Cup game is Canada's largest annual sports and television event.
• High-end hosting events, such as the Grey Cup, are good business-opportunity generators and help to support jobs and market B.C. facilities.
• After losing their first five games, the Lions won 13 of their next 15 games on their way to a Grey Cup victory.
• Albert Grey, the 4th Earl Grey and Governor General of Canada, commissioned the trophy and donated it in 1909.
• B.C. families can become involved in sport through provincial sport organizations that are listed on Sport BC's website.

Learn More:

The CFL: http://www.cfl.ca/

The BC Lions: http://www.bclions.com/

Find out about community-based sports in B.C.: http://sportbc.com/membership-list/

Tour participants can download their photo here: http://www.Yourcup.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677 (office)
250 208-4028 (cell)

Jamie Cartmell
Communications Director
BC Lions
604 930-5469 (office)
778 558-0761 (cell)

BACKGROUNDER

Jan. 26, 2012 Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

BC Lions Football Club

Grey Cup Tour Events, Locations and Times

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012

Lougheed Town Centre

9855 Austin Ave.

Burnaby

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Act Theatre

11944 Haney Pl.

Maple Ridge

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Chilliwack YMCA

45844 Hocking Ave.

Chilliwack

4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 30, 2012

Safeway

1950 Foul Bay Rd.

Oak Bay

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Bear Mountain Kinsmen Fieldhouse

1764 Island Highway

Colwood

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

Hornets Rugby Club

6704 Dover Rd.

Nanaimo

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Comox Rec Centre

1855 Noel Ave.

Comox

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Laurel Packing House

1304 Ellis St.

Kelowna

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

Tournament Capital Centre

910 McGill Rd.

Kamloops

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex

525 Proctor St.

Williams Lake

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Pine Centre Mall

156 - 3055 Massey Dr.

Prince George

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

Aboriginal Friendship Centre

1600 - 3rd Ave.

Prince George

9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

Cloverdale Arena

6090 - 176 St.

Surrey

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Ocean Park Community Centre

1577 - 128 St.

Surrey

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Central City Shopping Centre

10153 King George Blvd.

Surrey

3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Other tour events may be confirmed at a later date.

Contacts: Jeff Rud

Communications Director

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

250 953-3677 (office)

250 208-4028 (cell)

Jamie Cartmell

Communications Director

BC Lions

604 930-5469 (office)

778 558-0761 (cell)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect