The night after her international farewell game, Christine Sinclair was back at B.C. Place Stadium B次元官网网址� this time for an evening with family, friends and sponsors to mark the launch of her foundation.
Part of the stadium field was turned into a dining area with the scoreboard lowered to better serve as a giant monitor to show SinclairB次元官网网址檚 career highlights. Around the stadium, signs saying B次元官网网址淭hank you, SincB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淭he Greatest of Them AllB次元官网网址� flashed on and off.
WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 affair had the feel of a large wedding, with an open bar and DJ complete with shuffleboard and foosball tables. Thanks to Nike, guests were able to get on-the-spot custom-made Sinclair hoodies or T-shirts.
Having closed the door on her international career, Sinclair can now focus on playing for the Portland Thorns B次元官网网址� and helping others.
While the former Canada captain has said she can see herself as an assistant coach down the line, the 40-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., has already taken steps to offer a helping hand to those in need outside of soccer via the Christine Sinclair Foundation.
The foundation is B次元官网网址渄edicated to inspiring and empowering girls with goals.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 think there was along the way (in my career) a realization that sport has put me in a very unique position, B次元官网网址� Sinclair said during a B次元官网网址渇ireside chatB次元官网网址� with former Canada goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe when asked what helped her become more vocal and speak out for causes.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 put us all in a very unique position that, for some reason, people want to hear from us and listen to us. I have no idea why,B次元官网网址� she added with a laugh. B次元官网网址淎nd that what I do on the field can be only a small amount of what I can achieve.B次元官网网址�
Sinclair pointed to her work as a spokeswoman for A&W CanadaB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址淎nnual Burgers to Beat MS CampaignB次元官网网址� to help raise money for multiple sclerosis research. Her late mother Sandra had MS.
B次元官网网址淚 remember having the conversation, speaking about MS, with my mom and asking her permission to tell her story,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hat was a big moment for me to step out of my shyness and try to make the world a little bit better.B次元官网网址�
The dinner was billed as a B次元官网网址渃asual sneakers and sweater-themed affairB次元官网网址� with current and retired players, national team coaches and staff, corporate partners and B次元官网网址渙ther special guests.B次元官网网址�
Net proceeds from the party go to the foundation, which has already raised more than $250,000 with SinclairB次元官网网址檚 sponsors like CIBC stepping up with a donation of $190,000.
A table of 10 at the fundraiser cost $6,500 with a single ticket at $625. Some 300 people were expected with Canada Soccer, Canadian Soccer Business, B.C. Soccer, CIBC, A&W, MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Canada, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Canucks and Nike among those taking part.
Other partners like Visa and Frito Lay are contributing by helping sponsor the dinner or making a donation.
B次元官网网址淭he foundation will help level the playing field so that girls and women can reimagine whatB次元官网网址檚 possible and pursue their ambitions,B次元官网网址� according to a release from Envision Sports & Entertainment, the sports marketing and sponsorship agency that represents Sinclair.
Sinclair, who leaves the international game with a world-record 190 goals in 331 senior appearances, is partnering with the Vancouver Foundation which funds charities and non-profit organizations across British Columbia.
Sinclair has taken up causes in the past, partnering with the Canadian WomenB次元官网网址檚 Foundation during the pandemic on Show Up For Girl, a program designed B次元官网网址渢o make sure girls in Canada of all backgrounds and identities get the support they need through the pandemic.B次元官网网址�
Envision president Brian LevineB次元官网网址檚 rationale to Sinclair for going a step further and establishing the foundation was simple.
B次元官网网址淧eople want to support you. And by (having them) supporting you, youB次元官网网址檙e supporting others,B次元官网网址� he recalled telling her.
Guests at WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 launch entered the field via a B次元官网网址淢emory Lane,B次元官网网址� complete with Sinclair memorabilia, from the bespoke Nike boots she wore in her farewell game B次元官网网址� a 1-0 win over Australia before 48,112 on Tuesday B次元官网网址� to the jersey she wore when she set the world scoring record in January 2020.
Toronto FC coach John Herdman, who coached Sinclair with the Canadian women, spoke before Labbe and Sinclair took the stage. Canada and Portland teammate Janine Beckie and Portland GM Karina LeBlanc, a former roommate of SinclairB次元官网网址檚 with the national team, also came on stage to swap stories.
Canada coach Bev Priestman was also in the crowd. As was Canada Soccer president Charmaine Crooks and acting general secretary Jason deVos.
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