Christine Sinclair Big Dream

Why do you play soccer? If there was an aspiring young soccer player who wants to do exactly what you've done, what would you tell her? Dream big. Dream big and give it everything you've got. There's no secret to success. It is hard work and time and effort, but if you love it as much as I did, you're willing to put in that extra work. And myself, my teammates were proof that sometimes those crazy dreams you have as a kid can come true. My name is Jane, and I'm a really, really big fan of Christine Sinclair. I like to play forward because Christine Sinclair plays, and I like the glory of getting goals. I really like her celebrations after she scores a goal. So there's one that she goes like this, and then it's almost like an airplane, but she goes like that. And like the position she does for a photo. She goes like this, and she goes on her hips, and sometimes she points to the camera. I talk about her all the time at school. I make wishes. I want to be like Christine Sinclair, or at 11-11, because that's when I make my wish, or 12-12. Why 12-12? Because it's her number and my number. When I get older, I want to change my name to Christine Sinclair so I can be just like her. And my parents think that's way over the board, but I still want to do it. Oh, the bedroom. Yeah, if it has Christine on it, or we can put Christine on it, or the number 12, it's in there. That's my favorite wall because of me with Christine Sinclair. So seeing pictures of it makes me believe it more that I actually was with her. Because sometimes I feel like it was just a dream, but it really wasn't. Can it be Brazil? Today? What? What? Seriously? Canada versus Brazil today? Really? Look! Does that mean Christine Sinclair is here? It is. Oh my God! Have you ever seen her react that way to anything in the car? Never. Like, with anything. Nothing. Like, I could tell how moved she was. We were surprised at how deeply it affected her. Why are you crying? Because I'm so happy! And that's that side of Jane that just has that amazingly huge heart. And that just showed how much of that she has given to Christine. She inspires young girls to be like her, and she made me feel like I could do anything. That's the thing about having a role model like Christine. Anything is possible. I played soccer when I was a kid, but I didn't have the dreams Jane has. If she wants to be playing for Team Canada, because of Christine she feels she can do that. And she's always wanted Christine to know that. Dear Christine, my name is Jane Van Kessel. I'm 10 years old. I live in Headville, Nova Scotia, and I play soccer because of you. I love playing striker just like you. I love setting up my teammates like you, and I love scoring goals just like you. I really wanted to see you play in person, but your games are always so far from where I live. Then last September, my mom, dad, and brother surprised me with a trip to Ottawa to see you and Team Canada play against Brazil. It was the most amazing day of my life. It was my dream come true. I get goosebumps when I think about it. Whenever I feel like giving up, I remember you were playing in the World Cup and you broke your nose. You just kept going. And then you scored a goal. You always work so hard. You always give everything you've got. Like my dad says, you always leave it on the field. That's what I think about when I feel like things are tough. I remember this in everyday stuff too, not just when I'm playing soccer. The little voice inside my head says, what will Christine do? And then I try to give it everything I have left inside of me. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I love you because you are strong, you are kind, you are humble, you are fearless, and you are so good at soccer. You inspire me, and I want to be just like you. I have big dreams for when I grow up, and I want you to know, because of you, they are possible. Love, Jean Van Kessel.