It wasn't actually a day off, but Canada's premier women's soccer player will take it.
Canada's national soccer team captain Christine Sincliar spent four hours on Saturday hosting a series of training sessions to promote new team sponsor Tide and give back to the youth in her hometown city of Burnaby.
Surounded by a throng of young admirers all sporting white soccer jerseys with Sinclair's name and No. 12 on the back and a red Canadian maple leaf and Tide logo on the front, the pride of South Burnaby is currently in town with the national team in preparation for the London Olympics this summer.
"I'm happy to do this and to help grow this sport," Sinclair told the Burnaby NOW. "I didn't have this growing up. I looked up to male athletes and not even soccer ones. It's exciting. It shows the growth of the sport."
And no wonder, at 28 years of age and a five-time nominee for FIFA world player of the year, Sinclair is among the world's best players and most recognized world-wide.
Although more comfortable away from the limelight, Sinclair says it is his her role now as national team captain to take on that leading role.
With Canada currently ranked sixth in the world and with everything to prove heading into the Olympics after last year's less than successful result at the world championships, Sinclair believes the team will be ready this time.
Canada got a shot in the arm earlier this year after successfully hosting the CANCACAF qualifying tournament in Vancouver, earning a berth to the London Games after placing second behind the United States.
"It had been so long since I played here. The fan support was wonderful," Sinclair remembered. "It just grew and grew and it made me realize for the 2015 world championships that we have the potential to pack the stands."
She also believes that her individual successes at the NCAA national, world and professional levels have helped prepare her for "how big the Olympics are going to be."
One happy Burnaby 10-year-old, Clara Liu came with her younger sister Katie and brother to catch a glimpse of Sinclair up front and personal.
"I was really excited and I think I'm really fortunate to do this because she (Sinclair) is really good, said Clara, a Grade 4 Brentwood Park Elementary School student. "I think because of her, Canada is going to have a good chance (at the Olympics). She's my hero."
But standing on the artificial turf at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West on Saturday, it was as much about coming home for Sinclair.
"Of course it makes me happy and thrilled for the sport that we've gotten to this point where girls are recognizing the national team players and dreaming of being on the national team and going to the Olympics," Sinclair said.
"But, it's weird. I played high school soccer on this exact field."
