This year, the program will help nearly 1,200 students from 26 schools nationally in 24 cities and eight provinces coast-to-coast.

The Nissan Kickoff Project officially launched for its third year on Sept 2, providing funding and support to struggling high school football programs across Canada.

This year, more than 25 Nissan dealerships and four CFL teams, including the B.C. Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, are expected to participate on varying levels.

The program will provide Canadian high schools with the specific support they need to play football, including financial funding, equipment, uniforms and motivational events.

“We are excited to announce that for the third year in a row, the Nissan Kickoff Project will be working with high schools across the country to give young Canadians the chance to learn and grow through the power of sport,” said Joni Paiva, President, Nissan Canada. “Nissan is committed to improving the communities we work in, and together with the CFL, we are hopeful that we will be able to continue making a real difference.”