Vibrant Communities

n Cricket Across the Pond, Toronto: The Cricket Across the
Pond initiative provides opportunities for youth from
priority neighbourhoods to develop social cohesion
through cricket. RBC gave $30,000 to the program
through donations and sponsorships to give young
Toronto cricketers the opportunity to develop leadership
and communication skills, ultimately leading to a trip to
the UK as Toronto ambassadors.
United States
n Defending the Blue Line: RBC supports Defending the
Blue Line, a national program for children of military
members that provides free hockey equipment, hockey
camps, special events and financial assistance for
registration fees and other costs associated with hockey.
n Shot for College Day, Philadelphia: RBC hosted a golf
event where more than 100 children had the opportunity
to receive golf coaching from professional golfer Fred
Couples. At the end of the clinic, one boy and one girl
where given the chance to putt for a college scholarship.
Europe
n Somerset Lawn Tennis Association, United Kingdom:
RBC supported several initiatives to encourage youth
tennis participation, including a coach apprentice
program, expansion of the small grants program for local
tennis clubs and the annual Somerset Junior County Cup.
Caribbean
n Special Olympics: RBC donated $9,800 to Special
Olympics programs in Barbados and $16,000 to Special
Olympics programs in the Dutch Caribbean.
John Hastings
RBC Olympian
Canoe/Kayak
Blue Water Ambassador
25 2012 Vibrant Communities Report
Asia Pacific
n CIHL, Hong Kong, China: RBC is a founding partner of
Hong Kong’s CIHL. The CIHL is the first professional ice
hockey league, with teams from Hong Kong, Kowloon,
Macau and South China. Much like the RBC Play Hockey
mandate to support the growth of hockey, the CIHL will
revive and expand the sport of ice hockey in China and
develop competitive Chinese hockey players.
Employee Volunteer Spotlight
“I’ve been volunteering with Special Olympics
Alberta Association for the past 11 years — it’s a
great way for me to combine my love of sports with
my passion for helping others. The athletes are a
phenomenal group of people to work with. There’s
an old saying that you get out of it what you put into
it. By coaching Special Olympics, I’ve gained so
much more than I thought. Thank you to RBC and
the many employees that volunteer their time.”
Tina Copp
Associate Account Manager
Edmonton, Alberta
SPORTS
John has been involved in the RBC Olympian Program for the past four years. He is a
proud member of Canada’s National Kayak Team. He is currently pursuing his MBA at
Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management.
At RBC, John supports the director of market development and is an active member
of the Ontario North and East community through public appearances and speaking
engagements. In 2012, John’s community activities included:
n Acting as an RBC Blue Water Project ambassador for the Blue Dot program in Ottawa,
which helps Canadians identify and solve water waste problems at home;
n Speaking about environmental leadership at a youth forum at the Canadian Museum
of Nature;
n Motivating community groups by speaking about his journey to Olympic gold and
how it inspired his concern for freshwater resources.