Kinsmen Park turf field in Pickering re-named in honour of local soccer legend

The turf field at Pickering’s Kinsmen Park was re-named ‘Jayde Riviere Field’ Tuesday in honour of the Canada and Manchester United right back, Pickering Football Club’s most famous alumnu.

Riviere began her athletic journey as a youth star in Pickering before moving on to the Vancouver Whitecaps junior ranks and college soccer at the University of Michigan, before signing with the fabled Manchester United club in England in 2023.

Riviere, now 23, represented Canada at youth levels before earning her first senior cap in 2017 at just 16 years old. She now has earned 45 caps for Canada, including five games in the pandemic-delayed Olympic tournament in Tokyo in 2021 where Canada won the gold medal.

“I cannot believe that my childhood pitch will be named after myself,” she said on social media. “Extremely honored.”

Riviere started both games in the Olympic ‘Send-off Series’ against Mexico earlier this month, with Canada earning a 2-0 win in Montreal and battling for a 1-1 draw at BMO Field.

Next, Jayde will be representing Canada in Paris as the women’s national team opens their defence of their Olympic championship July 25 vs New Zealand before matches against host France (July 25) and Colombia (July 31).

“We are Pickering Proud and looking forward to the next generation of athletes who will begin their journeys right here on the Jayde Riviere Field,” the City said in a press release.

The Pickering Football Club said in a statement the re-naming of the soccer field is a testament to Riviere’s accomplishments, which can only be achieved through “true dedication, passion and love for the game.”

“Jayde exemplifies all of these qualities in her game and has become an inspiration for the girls and boys, women and men of Pickering Football and beyond.”