MISSISSAUGA, ON - The Esso Schools Program will provide the opportunity for 9,500 Ontario students, from grades 4 to 8, to participate in the 2000 IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship from April 3-9, the Canadian Hockey Association announced on Thursday, in conjunction with Imperial Oil and the Women's World Championship Organizing Committee.

Through the Esso Schools Program, Imperial Oil has purchased in excess of 9,500 game tickets at the various venues hosting Women's World Championship games; Mississauga, Peterborough, Barrie, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Oshawa, and London. In addition to attending the games, students will learn about the history of women's hockey through a special activity book provided by Esso.

The program is being offered to students from the Peel and Halton regions.

Imperial Oil launched the Esso Schools Program four years ago, as part of their premier sponsorship of the Canadian Hockey Association, to promote the values of team sports through hockey and the positive influence that hockey can have on and off the ice. The Esso Schools Program also provides the opportunity for children, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, to experience a major international hockey competition.

In past years, the Esso Schools Program has been a special feature of major events such as the Esso Women's National Hockey Championship, the 1997 Women's World Hockey Championship in Kitchener, ON, the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship in Winnipeg, MB and Canada-USA Women's Pre-Olympic games in 1997 and 1998.

"At Imperial Oil, we're very proud of our Esso Schools Program and the fact that we're involved in an event the magnitude of the Women's World Hockey Championship," said Todd Corradetti, Marketing Sponsorship Manager of Imperial Oil. "This program is a success on a number of levels as it allows youngsters to experience high level international competition while combining this activity with their school and curriculum."

Esso's involvement in hockey dates back to 1936, when the company sponsored Foster Hewitt's national radio broadcasts of NHL games. That same year, the "Three Star Selection: was introduced after every game, inspired by Esso's 3-star gasoline. Today, Esso is involved in several hockey programs - from the grassroots level in supporting minor hockey to our sponsorship of the Canadian Women's National Team.