Christine Sinclair prepares to play final Team Canada match
Posted December 4, 2023 9:03 pm.
Last Updated December 5, 2023 3:11 am.
Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair will suit up for Canada’s Women’s National Team for the final time at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday against Australia.
“Its going to be a great night, we have lots of different things happening,” said Jenna Visram, assistant general manager of BC Place.
The team got in one final training session Monday afternoon, before Sinclair will hang up her Canadian Jersey. Sinclair could be seen smiling and hugging teammates as they met on the field before Tuesday’s game. Her team also presented her with a framed number 12 jersey, as a parting gift.
Visram says BC Place will be renamed to ‘Christine Sinclair Place’ for one night to celebrate Sinclair’s legacy, which is something BC place has never done before.
“We are really excited to welcome about 45,000 people to BC Place tomorrow night for what’s going to be a historic night, as we honour Christine Sinclair in her final match for Canada,” she said.
The game has not quite sold out yet, with about 10,000 more tickets left, but Visram says thye’re selling fast, as many fans are coming out to watch Sinclair one last time.
“The players are going to arrive at Terry Fox Plaza and they’re going to have a moment with the fans out there at around 5:15 p.m.,” Visram says. “Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and there’s a bunch of great activities in the building, you can sign a mural to say thank you to Christine inside the building.”
Premier David Eby says he’s also excited to watch Sinclair play, as he plans on being at Tuesday’s match.
“I think all British Columbias are incredibly proud of Christine Sinclair and her remarkable run in women’s soccer,” he said. “She’s been an inspiration to British Columbias across the province, not just women and girls, but all British Columbians and Canadians. We are incredibly proud of her legacy.”
Sinclair, who is now 40-years-old, has played 330 games for Canada and is the highest-scoring player in international soccer history, with 190 goals.
“Christine is a local hero. She’s from Burnaby and has played in this community and internationally as everyone knows,” Visram said.
She says BC Place will have lots of plans on Tuesday, including serving the soccer star’s favorite dishes, like tacos.
“The community is really excited to say farewell to her as she plays that final game for her home country,” Visram adds.
