For the first time, Olympic soccer gold medalist Christine Sinclair — the top international goal scorer of all time and one of Canada’s greatest athletes — reflects on both her exhilarating successes and her heartbreaking defeats. Playing the Long Game is a playbook of earned wisdom on the value of determination, team spirit, and real leadership that changed the landscape of women’s soccer.
Christine is both captain of the Canadian women’s national soccer team and the Portland Thorns FC of National Women’s Soccer League. One of the world’s most respected and admired athletes, she’s been named Canadian Female Soccer Player of the Year 14 times, nominated seven times for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, and won three Olympic medals, including the history-making gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Working with Stephen Brunt, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Christine explores her extraordinary journey on and off the field in her new book — available today! Reflecting on the significant moments and turning points in her life and career, she hopes to inspire and empower soccer fans as well, calling her book a call to action for more opportunities for girls and women in sports.
“At this point in my career, I am proud of many things but most of all, the role my teammates and I have had in strengthening Canada’s position in the sport world and changing the landscape of women’s soccer forever,” Christine said in a press release.
Looking ahead, Christine is preparing the Canadian squad for the next two season leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. She also to continue her impact on the game and her goal of equality with the men’s and women’s game in Canada. In an interview with Forbes, Christine said:
“More people care. More people are writing about it. More people are asking questions. It’s given power and strength to our collective voice. Obviously, our next battle is trying to bring professional soccer to Canada. Winning Olympic gold, being on back-to-back-to-back podiums and now with our men’s team playing in the World Cup later this year, it’s time.
It’s time now to truly make a change within Canada. We have the MLS, we have the CPL (Canadian Premier League), and there’s literally nowhere for a woman to play professionally in Canada. That’s the next challenge and that’s what we’re not-so-subtly demanding.”
Interested in hosting Christine at your next event? She shares her inspiring climb to the top of her game, exploring the teamwork, passion, and competitive nature she needed along the way, as well as the obstacles she has had to overcome in her sport. Contact us to learn more.
