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Burnaby's Christine Sinclair owned the pitch. Now, she co-owns Vancouver's new pro women's soccer club

Sinclair joins Vancouver Rise FC's ownership group alongside current owner Greg Kerfoot.
Jess Balzer
Jess Balzer
christinesinclairrisefc
Burnaby soccer icon Christine Sinclair has joined Vancouver Rise FC's ownership group ahead of the inaugural Northern Super League season.Craig Mitchelldyer

Although Burnaby soccer great Christine Sinclair has announced she's hanging up her cleats for good, she isn't completely stepping away from the game. 

Vancouver Rise FC of the Northern Super League, Canada's new professional women's soccer league with its inaugural season set for 2025, has announced Sinclair has joined its ownership group alongside majority owner Greg Kerfoot. 

Sinclair currently plays for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and announced in September that she would be stepping away from pro soccer at the end of this season. 

She retired from international competition in Dec. 5, 2023 when she played a friendly at BC Place in Vancouver against Australia. 

“Growing up in Burnaby, I would have never imagined becoming an owner of a professional women’s soccer club in my hometown,” Sinclair said in a Vancouver Rise FC announcement release. 

“I want every little girl in British Columbia and Canada to be inspired to play or coach or manage — see the opportunity for women in sport. I’m so excited to be a part of this movement, and to be able to share my passion to help this club grow.”

Sinclair was one of the first members of the Portland Thorns and is the only player that has been with the club throughout its 12-year existence. 

She holds numerous club records including games played (195 to date) and games started (176). 

During her Thorns career, she has tallied 64 regular season goals, which is a record for the Thorns and third most in NWSL history. 

The Burnaby product scored 190 international goals representing Canada on the world stage, which is the most all-time in both men and women's play.

“There are few names in the history of Canadian sport, and the history of soccer, as big as Christine Sinclair,” Vancouver Rise FC Sporting Director and former CANWNT teammate Stephanie Labbé added. 

"She has made an unmatched impact on the sporting landscape in Canada, inspiring millions of people across the country."

"We are thrilled that she has taken an ownership role with our club to make an equally large impact on the future of the game. We have won gold together and now we are both excited to take this next journey together in Canada with Vancouver Rise FC."

The Northern Super League will feature six teams during its inaugural season next year.

In addition to Vancouver Rise FC, clubs consist of AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid FC, Halifax Tides FC, Calgary Wild FC and Montreal (no official team name has been announced).