Sask. soccer hero, Kaylyn Kyle, hits pitch to make dreams come true

A hometown Olympic hero will be making dreams come true out on the pitch this weekend as a first-ever soccer camp rolls into Saskatoon.

Work on a little move in your backyard.- Kaylyn Kyle

It's the inaugural Kaylyn Kyle soccer camp.

Two contest winners brought their young enthusiasm to CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

Jacob Dyck, 10, and Kieara Graham, 9, are both excited to meet Kyle.  

"Awesome," said Dyck.

"She plays really good," added Graham.

The two timidly kicked around thoughts about what they might say to the local Olympian and World Cup competitor when they get out on the soccer pitch this weekend. That's when Saskatoon Morning Host Leisha Grebinski revealed a big surprise for her guests.

It turns out that Kaylyn Kyle had been listening in all along.

"I'm so excited to meet you," Kyle said. "I got to read your cool little stories that you wrote in and it's pretty inspiring, so I'm really excited to meet you guys and maybe you guys can teach me a thing or two."

Jacob and Kieara have both had their ups and downs in soccer. But they both want to try again.

Kyle said she recalls her own challenges in sticking with a sport that barely registered in a hockey and football city like Saskatoon. But today, Kyle reassured the two young hopefuls.  

"You know you are playing a team sport, so you find all your strength through your teammates and you know everyone has your back."

The two young contest winners were a little speechless to be talking to their hero on the radio, and both got to the point when asked what they hope to get out of the soccer camp.

"How to play better," they said.

Kyle promised the two she would deliver that and so much more. Plus, she asked them to bring a lesson of their own to the pitch, something she could take back to the national team.

"Work on a little move in your backyard," she challenged.