Montreal, September 9, 2026 – CF Montréal and the Aléo Foundation are joining forces once again to support four young Quebec soccer talents. During the September 9 match at Stade Saputo, Maxim Ellyson, Zaky Lachhab, Chloe Scicchitano and Zachary Tsokos Each received a grant, for a total of 10,000 $ in grants and services.
Through this investment in the next generation, CF Montréal reaffirms its commitment to youth development and helps provide these young student-athletes with the means to pursue their ambitions, in their athletic as well as their academic and personal journeys.
The four recipients were invited onto the field at Saputo Stadium to receive their bursary from Gabriel Gervais, President and CEO of CF Montreal, and Marie-Eve Desrochers, Director of Philanthropic Development at the Aléo Foundation.
The Aléo Research Chair and CF Montréal are also teaming up!
In addition to the scholarship program, CF Montréal is currently collaborating with another Aléo entity: the Aléo Research Chair. This partnership aims to develop and evaluate a mental preparation program adapted to the reality of the Academy's youth. The project includes four workshops focusing on communication, stress management, emotions, and resilience, as well as practical tools that young people can reuse in their athletic journey and daily lives. An evaluation carried out before and after the workshops will make it possible to document the effects of the program and improve it. This project thus brings research closer to the field in order to better support the well-being and development of young athletes.
In their own words:
«Supporting the next generation of Quebec talent is at the heart of our mission. In partnership with the Aléo Foundation, we are proud to help young athletes pursue their athletic and academic goals, today and for the future.»
– Gabriel Gervais, President and CEO of CF Montréal
«CF Montréal and the Aléo Foundation share this same desire to empower young people to go further. Beyond what happens on the pitch, the Club plays a unifying and inspiring role in our community and throughout Quebec's sports ecosystem. Thanks to its commitment, we can not only offer concrete financial support to young talents, but also support them in all dimensions of their journey through the Aléo Foundation's lifelong services. It is a collaboration that makes complete sense: together, we are investing in their potential and in what they can become.»
– Patricia Demers, Executive Director of the Aléo Foundation
2026 CF Montréal scholarship recipients
Maxim Ellyson
1Re CF Montréal and Aléo Foundation scholarship
17 years old – Terrebonne
2000 $
In addition to her success on the soccer field, Maxim received the Governor General's Academic Medal. She is studying Natural Science at Collège Montmorency.
Zaky Lachhab
1Re CF Montréal and Aléo Foundation scholarship
17 years old – Brossard
2000 $
A winger within the CF Academy, Zaky has also represented Canada twice. He is studying in Grade 12 at Ontario Virtual School.
Chloe Scicchitano
1Re CF Montréal and Aléo Foundation scholarship
16 years old – Laval
2000 $
> Member of the Canadian team that qualified the country for the FIFA U-17 World Cup with an undefeated run at the CONCACAF qualifiers.> Studies in Secondary V at Lester B. Pearson High School.
Zachary Tsokos
1Re CF Montréal and Aléo Foundation scholarship
17 years old – Laval
2000 $
Left-footed player who stands out with the CF Montreal Academy for his ball control, passing, and vision of the game. Studies in grade 12 at Northern Pre-University (NPU).
About CF Montréal
Founded in 1992 and having completed its inaugural season in 1993, CF Montréal is a professional soccer club that has been playing in MLS since 2012. It has won the Canadian Championship five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021) and notably reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2015, as well as the quarterfinals in 2009 and 2022. CF Montréal plays its home matches at Stade Saputo, a soccer-specific stadium with a capacity of 19,619.
In 2010, the organization established the CF Montreal Academy, a soccer player training center with over 100 male and female players. CF Montreal was the first professional club in North America to offer a sports-study program. The club's development structure also includes the U13 and U14 Pre-Academy teams. The Partner Club Network (CIP) and regional programs also allow the club to reach nearly 1,000 additional players aged U8 to U12. The women's program was introduced to the club's Academy on May 31, 2023.
Through the Montreal Impact Foundation, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, CF Montreal is deeply committed to the community. Its mission is to organize and support activities aimed at improving the quality of life for children and families from vulnerable backgrounds. Specifically, it provides sports facilities to promote physical activity and social integration.
About the Aléo Foundation
The Aléo Foundation's mission is to maximize the full potential of as many outstanding student-athletes from all backgrounds as possible, in order to generate a significant and lasting impact. Created in 1985, it has awarded over $25 million in scholarships to more than 5,000 student-athletes from across Quebec. In addition to these scholarships, there is the essential component of services provided for life to all recipients during and after their athletic and academic careers. To support these coaching services, the Aléo Research Chair is now a vector for scientific results available to the entire local sports community.
The Generations of Impact fundraising campaign aims to raise six million dollars over three years to bring us closer to our grand vision: that elite student-athletes enrich society through their current and future leadership, both through their exceptional contributions and the inspiring examples they embody.
To support Impact for Generations
For more information: fondationaleo.ca
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For your information:
Annie Dubé
Director of Communications and Marketing
Aléo Foundation
438 884-6626
