(CCA) September 25, 2008…The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) today announced that M&M Meat Shops, Canada’s leading retail chain of specialty frozen foods, has signed a new three-year agreement to be the title sponsor of the Canadian Junior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships through 2012.

As a title sponsor, M&M Meat Shops also becomes a sub-sponsor of the other Season of Champions events – Continental Cup, Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Tim Hortons Brier, Canada Cup and Ford Worlds.

“The Canadian Curling Association has a very strong foundation of corporate support which enables it to be as successful as possible in achieving its mandate,” said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. “A large part of this core support comes from our partner, M&M Meat Shops.

“They are a first class organization that we are very pleased to see have agreed to build and enhance our existing relationship. With this, we are proud to announce that M&M Meat Shops will continue to be the title sponsor of the Canadian Junior Championships through 2012. They fully appreciate the importance of development in our sport and the role our Juniors play.  This support helps to lay the groundwork for curling in the post-2010 era.”

“M&M Meat Shops has been encouraging Canadians to spend quality time with friends and families for more than 27 years and curling is a great community-based game that connects people from coast-to-coast,” says Mac Voisin, founder of M&M Meat Shops. “Our company is a proud supporter and avid fan of the Canadian Junior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships.”

M&M Meat Shops first became involved with the CCA’s Season of Champions as title sponsor of the 2006 Canadian Juniors in Thunder Bay.  The company renewed its agreement in September of that year for a three-year commitment, which concludes in 2009, prior to today’s announcement of an additional three-year extension as title sponsor through 2012.

The 2009 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors will take place in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, January 31-February 8.   Round robin games will be played at both the Sunwave Centre and Salmon Arm Curling Club, with the women’s and men’s finals slated for Sunday, February 8, live on TSN.
The winners will then represent Canada at the World Juniors, March 5-15, 2009 in Vancouver.