Sabrina Gervais, a mother, health-care professional, and experienced flag football player, is aiming to include “Olympian” in her list of achievements. Leading Canada’s national women’s team at the 2026 world championship, Gervais and her squad are not only eyeing a gold medal but also a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, which will mark the debut of flag football in the Olympics.
Expressing her excitement, Gervais stated, “It would be realizing a dream I would’ve never dreamt before. I never thought about the Olympics, but now that I’m still in the loop, I think the chances are good if I can stay healthy and continue to be a leader for my team. That would definitely be a dream come true.”
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship is set to kick off in Düsseldorf, Germany, with Canada facing Panama and Brazil before taking on Japan. The top two teams in the championship will secure Olympic berths, with a possibility for a third spot if the United States reaches the gold-medal game as the host nation for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Although the world championship is a crucial qualifying event, failing to secure a spot would mean participating in next year’s IFAF continental championship and the final Olympic qualifier series in 2028. Canada, a strong contender for gold in Germany, earned its world championship qualification by finishing as runners-up in last year’s IFAF Americas Continental championship, where they lost to Mexico due to severe weather conditions.
Reflecting on their journey, Gervais, a 36-year-old from Maskinonge, Que., expressed optimism about facing Mexico again in Germany. She emphasized the team’s readiness and determination to learn from past experiences to deliver their best performance.
Canada’s success in the 2025 World Games in China, where they clinched a bronze medal, has already put them on the global map in women’s flag football. Gervais acknowledged the growing recognition of the Canadian team and emphasized the importance of focusing on their game to achieve desired results.
Apart from her sporting endeavors, Gervais, a 24-year flag football veteran, manages her responsibilities as a mother and a health-care professional. Balancing her personal and professional life, she emphasized the value of resilience, support from her network, and maintaining good health habits to sustain her athletic career.
Gervais also highlighted her role in mentoring younger players and praised head coach Rachel Lessard for her leadership and support. Emphasizing the team’s chemistry and unity as their strengths, Gervais believes in the collective spirit that drives their success on the field.
Taking a day-by-day approach, Gervais remains focused on her present enjoyment of the sport, without getting ahead of herself in considering future accomplishments. She emphasized the impact she aims to make, both on and off the field, inspiring the new generation with her dedication and achievements.
