Never in a million years did I think I would be standing with Christine Sinclair, me holding her book, she holding mine. But here we are, at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum Wednesday night after the Eva Holtby Lecture on Contemporary Culture, with soccer legends Christine and Dwayne De Rosario, moderated by Jessie Thomson, CEO of Right to Play.
The players’ admiration for each other palpable. They were funny, self-deprecating, and inspiring. I stirred up the courage to talk with all three, my knees shaking. I brought One Goal as gifts because it fell in line with the lecture’s social-change theme. (And who doesn’t want to gift their soccer book to soccer people?!) Their genuine interest in One Goal was more than enough. Dwayne asked questions about the writing and illustrations, and Christine and Jessie insisted on holding it in a photo (I told them they really didn’t have to, a photo with each of them was, again, more than enough).
Soccer really is “a global language,” as Christine said.
Here are more things I wrote down from the evening:
On global sport:
“Everyone in that stadium in connected by a single experience,” Sinclair said. “For one month the world is going to be connected by this one singular sport.”
“Football soccer transcends all borders,” De Rosario said. “Every country on the planet has a pro league. Every country on the planet has kids playing.”
On values:
CS: “Canadians naturally care about the world… Sports there a good barometer to measure the inequality in society. and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done around the world.”
CS: “The lessons you learn from sports… you can go on and on, they have such an impact on your life.”
DDR: “Just know that [your parents, guardians] probably see the good in you that you don’t see yourself.”
On chance:
DDR: “That coin toss changed our destiny.” Speaking of the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Canada has to flip with South Korea to advance and wound up winning the tournament!
DDR: “It’s Canada’s way, we always have to do it the most difficult way.”
On life lessons:
CS: “I wish someone would tell me that you’re going to make mistakes you’re not going to be perfect.”
CS: “I was never satisfied…I wish someone would have told me to chill out a little bit.”
CS: “It’s okay to take a breathe and soak it all in and enjoy the moment…. I think I could have enjoyed it a little more.”
DDR: “Find a safe space, find something outside of your sport where you can decompress. …where you cab be a kid.”
DDR: “Push to be great, to be your best self every day.”
DDR: “The world needs more selfless kids on and off the field.”
On legacy:
DDR: “Nurturing those special moments within my own children, but also nurturing those moments in other children who grew up like I did, with doubts and fear.”
On the FIFA World Cup
CS: “Go take it in. Go enjoy this summer. Watch the best country in the world welcoming the world here. Go experience these football fans from around the world.”
DDR: “Embrace the culture…. Laugh, smile have a great time. it’s going to be a really special time. But when Canada is playing, make sure you’re wearing your red and white.”
Heather Camlot 