The Christine Sinclair Interview

Just sitting here, I'm proud of what I've done for Canada. Proud of, like, my work ethic. I'm proud of, like, how, like, determined I've been through good times and bad times. My fight will never end. We've achieved everything, and to be able to share, especially in Vancouver, this moment with them is going to be incredible. I've come full circle, and to be able to finish my career in that stadium in front of all my friends and family, hopefully it's going to be quite the night. So far, so good. It hasn't been a lot, so that's just how I like it, but I know it's just going to get worse. But I appreciate it, but it's just not my thing. Why did you, why now, I guess, is the big question. Why did you decide this was the right time to step away? Yeah, I think after Tokyo, I knew deep down in my heart, like, I didn't, Paris wasn't my goal to be able to leave as an Olympic champion. Not many people get to do that. But I wanted to give the World Cup another shot. It was, like, the one thing that, as a team, we hadn't really nailed. And obviously, yeah, that didn't go as we had hoped. And then Olympic qualifiers were right around the corner, and I wanted to be a part of that, just to help the team get to Paris. And honestly, after the game in Toronto, I thought that was it. And then we were told that we were going to have four games in Canada, and I was convinced by staff, teammates, friends, family to stick around and get the proper send-off. So yeah, now we're here. Have you been kind of reflecting this week, or has it been too busy to even do much of that right now? Well, I mean, we only arrived yesterday, so we haven't had a lot of time. Bev mentioned Sophie and I in the meeting today, and we've been told that will be it until, like, come closer to game time. But for me, even leading into this camp, like, yes, there's a part that's, like, I remember packing, and I'm like, oh, I'm packing for my last national team camp. Like, kind of, I can't believe, like, we're here. But then once we, yeah, got here, it's how do we beat Australia twice, and helping the team prepare for that, knowing what's coming, you know. But at this point, it's about winning some soccer games, too. I could spend a lot of time listing all the records, and then the accolades, but it's, I think, in short, they're difficult to get your head around. But someone on the outside looking at a number of caps, a number of goals, does it kind of sink into you, and what do those things represent to you when you look back on your career? Yeah, I mean, it's not something that I've spent a lot of time, honestly, thinking about. I couldn't tell you how many caps I have, honestly. I think it's when I'm done playing, and have a chance to, like, look back. And I'm sure the game in Vancouver will make me reminisce a lot as well. But yeah, just sitting here, I'm proud of what I've done for Canada. I'm proud of, like, my work ethic. I'm proud of, like, how determined I've been through good times and bad times, and to have been a part of this journey for so long. And with it, you know, I've had some absolutely incredible teammates to help me along the way. And I've been fortunate in my career, you know, injuries and things like that. We've gotten to where we're at. Yeah, but when I'm done, I'm sure I'll look back on it and be like, okay, I was, you've achieved some incredible things. Do you remember back clearly to 2000 and making a debut that far back? Absolutely. I have a weird memory when it comes to, like, soccer games and events and what I lived. Yeah, I remember Evan, I remember sitting, like, sitting with him and my first camp was ever, it was in Vancouver. And he told me that, you performed well, and we're going to invite you to come to Algarve, the Algarve with the national team. And I, I was just completely overwhelmed, I didn't think I belonged. And then he's like, and by the way, you're starting. And yeah, I mean, it's just been, it's been quite the ride. And I, Evan, I give a lot of credit to him. He changed his program and gave a lot of youngsters, myself included, a chance that I don't think many other national team coaches would have. Yeah, I'm thankful for him. Can you recall maybe what your ambitions and your goals were at 16 years old? Not to make a fool of myself, to, like, speak, I'm so quiet. And then I remember, obviously scoring my second game, and then I scored a few more in that tournament. I'm not gonna lie. In that moment, I found out how many goals Miaham had at the time. And kind of set my, I never set the goal, but it was just kind of there. Like, well, I've played four caps and scored three goals. This is pretty, like, just an awareness piece. Yeah, weird. It's weird, like, I'm such a competitor that I'm like, yes and no. I mean, there's definitely some what if moments throughout the course of my career that you wish things had gone a little differently. But overall, it's been not bad. Honestly, I don't even know what to think. Especially because, like, some of my earliest soccer memories are playing at BC Place as a youngster. We used to have mini soccer tournaments there every winter. So yeah, to come full circle, and to be able to finish my career in that stadium in front of all my friends and family, hopefully it's going to be quite the night. I wanted to ask you a little bit about the future as well. How much have you kind of thought about your future and your involvement and what the future holds with regards to specifically Canadian soccer and the national team? Yeah, I mean, we'll see. I mean, like, plan to play another year in Portland. But yeah, my fight will never end. Whether that's helping behind the scenes, the player reps and fighting for equality and, you know, Project 8, fighting for a league. Yeah, I'm not going away anytime soon. Are you optimistic about the future of soccer in this country? I hesitantly say I am. Sitting here right now, I worry about just the investment that other countries have put into their, whether it's domestic leagues, whether it's their women's national team programs. And I think you saw in Australia some surprises. But I think it just goes to show countries are investing that the domestic leagues work and develop players and give players an opportunity to play professionally at a young age that right now here in Canada we don't have. But for the most part, the pathway is to go to college in the US. And honestly, it's not cutting it anymore. But I'm hopeful, because I know there's people in this country that are fighting for the right things. For all the experiences you've come through, have the past couple of years been different, just in the sense that you have the ultimate eye of Olympic gold, but then this off-field fight going on as well that maybe has been more difficult to come through? Yeah, if everything was just on the pitch, it would be easy. Especially for myself and my teammates. Put us on the field, we'll try to challenge and win every game. Obviously, off the pitch is something that we're not maybe completely used to. And I think last, like, still this year, I think we've seen that this year. I think back to the Sheba Leaves and just a defeated team that took the field. And I think we have realized that there needs to be a balance between the fight off the field and obviously competing on the field, but that the fight off the field can't take a back seat. It's just something we probably need to adjust when and how we fight it. But for all of those challenges, where do you kind of see the biggest opportunities? I mean, it's just a league at this point. I think where we're at with the CSA is pretty positive. But pretty much at a point, whatever the men get, we get. That's all we've asked for. But in terms of a domestic league, yeah, we're falling behind. And yeah, that's definitely the next hurdle. What are maybe on the other side of the coin, biggest concerns you have, or things that you'd still like to see maybe addressed a bit quicker than what's happening? No, I mean, a league doesn't form overnight. And the work that Dee's been putting in, bless her, it's a lot and overwhelming. And she's determined, but it takes time. I mean, I've lived through leagues in the US being built and folding, so it has to be done right. And I trust Dee. She will build something sustainable. But yeah, it just takes time. Turning back to the games this week, what's it been like to share this moment with Aaron and Sophie coming into camp as well? Yeah, well, Aaron's not here yet. And then, yeah, Sophie is back in camp with her two pups, which is just the best. I mean, they're two of my best friends. And to be able to share this moment with them, I mean, Sophie, I've literally known forever. And Aaron, I mean, we started in the U19s together, her with a crazy mohawk. Yes, and we've achieved everything. And to be able to share, especially in Vancouver, this moment with them is going to be incredible. I wouldn't want to do it with two other people. There'll be a few stories maybe told about the past the next few days. There's always reminiscing going around, because the youngsters on the team can't believe some of the stuff we had to live through. But I'm sure after the game in Vancouver, once we've all had a couple glasses of wine, someone should be in there for me, I'm just saying. When you look around this locker room for this national team now, what do you kind of see in this group today? It's quality. Like, I look around and I see players at every position playing at top clubs, whether it's in Europe or the US, or even those that are in college that are bound to go to a top club somewhere in the world. And this team's ready. It's deeper than it's ever been. It's got an excellent mixture of youth and experience, and even the young players. I still think Jesse and Janine are young, but they've been around forever and have World Cups and Olympics under their belts. Yeah, the future's in great hands, and they'll be absolutely fine, I think. What you saw in Australia is just the way the women's game is going. It's a matter of inches now, and sometimes you need a little luck on your side. You mentioned a couple of players there, and there's a few more who have really come and stir in over the past few years, and playing in Europe and all over the place now. What's it been like to see this kind of current generation come through, and maybe have some opportunities with big clubs that weren't there? Yeah, I mean, for those of us that are older, it's what we've always wanted in this sport to be. You know, when I was growing up, yeah, you weren't going to Europe to play, you know what I mean? And now to see the opportunities that are available, to see players in high school that are going straight to pro, I always think if it's happening on the men's side, it should be happening on the women's side, and you're starting to see women finish their career. I think back to players that I played with when I was young, like your Charmaine Hoopers, and Andrea Neal and Silvana, they had second jobs to help fund their soccer career. I've been fortunate, I've never had to do that, and these young players now don't have to do that. They can strictly just focus on being a footballer, and yeah, it's exciting. If you can narrow it down to one language, it will be a challenge, what would you say is the most private when you walk away from this team? Oh, easy. The connections I've made. I mean, this team, since the day I stepped on the plane and going to the Algarve, the culture on this team has always been top class, and I've made some of my best friends on this team, and those connections will last well beyond all of us playing soccer. And I don't know how many national teams can truly say that, I think a lot say it, but yeah, I know some of these players will be my best friends for life. What do you think it is about Canada that is holding that togetherness? Honestly, I think we're just like kind people, and work hard, have similar values, are willing to fight, and then spend enough time around these people, like you're bound to become, no, I just, yeah, a group of highly motivated, determined workaholics that are willing to give anything for the country, and this is what's happened. Do you think you'll miss it? I think I'll miss parts of it. I'm so looking forward to a vacation, but I think obviously the competitor in me will miss the competition, and like just something different about playing for your country, playing club, and then it's going to be like the moments that people don't see, your meals, trips to coffee shops, things like that, where you truly get to know people, and yeah, I mean we literally have a blast here. You mentioned vacation. Is there any other ways you're thinking of filling international breaks and spending some free time? Oh, vacation, vacation, and hopefully spending some more time with my nieces. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Thank you.