These days, Bruce Gant may be known as much for being the uncle of the best women’s soccer player Canada has ever produced, Christine Sinclair, as his exploits on the pitch. But make no mistake he was pretty darn good. Gant grew up in Burnaby and stayed in the city for his collegiate career going to Simon Fraser University.
He was on the backline for John Buchanan’s Clan when they won the 1976 NAIA men’s soccer title at the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in the team’s second year of existence. Gant then went on to spend five seasons in the original North American Soccer League. The Portland Timbers selected Gant, who continues to make Burnaby his home, in the first round of the 1979 NASL draft.
He stayed with the Timbers for four seasons until 1982 when it folded. He played one game for the Montreal Manic in 1983. After his NASL stint, Gant helped the Vancouver Firefighters win provincial, Western Canadian and Canadian championship titles. He has also been a part of the Burnaby Girls Soccer Club success coaching teams to national championships and serving as the club’s technical director.
