Sabrina Gervais, a mother, healthcare professional, and seasoned flag football player, is aiming to fulfill her dream of becoming an Olympian. Leading Canada’s national women’s team at the 2026 world championship, Gervais not only seeks a gold medal but also a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where flag football will debut in the Olympics.
Expressing her excitement, Gervais shared, “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 contention, I believe the chances are good if I can maintain my health and leadership for the team. That would truly be a dream come true.”
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship kicks off in Düsseldorf, Germany, with Canada set to face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the initial matches. The top two finishers in the tournament will secure Olympic berths, with a possibility of the third team advancing if the United States reaches the gold-medal game.
While the world championship is a key Olympic qualifying event, failing to secure a spot would require teams to participate in subsequent competitions like the IFAF continental championship and the final Olympic qualifier series in 2028. Canada, having qualified for the world championship by making it to the final of the previous year’s IFAF Americas Continental championship, is seen as a strong contender for gold in Germany.
Gervais, hailing from Maskinonge, Que., is optimistic about facing Mexico again, recalling last year’s weather-halted game. She mentioned, “Of course, we’ve been working on improving to play them. Hopefully, we’ll see each other, but we’re ready. We can learn from what happened last year and give our best effort this time.”
Canada’s success at the 2025 World Games in China, where they won a bronze medal, has put them on the map in international women’s flag football. Gervais acknowledged the growing recognition, saying, “I feel like people are starting to know us. We beat the U.S., and I think people are beginning to talk about us more. But for us, we focus on playing our best, and the results will follow.”
Beyond her flag football commitments, Gervais, a 24-year flag football veteran and mother of twins, balances her passion for the sport with her roles as an osteopath and kinesiologist. Emphasizing the importance of rest and proper nutrition, she highlighted her dedication to mentoring younger players and praised head coach Rachel Lessard for her leadership.
Gervais attributed Canada’s strength in Germany to their team chemistry, noting the significance of unity on both offense and defense. Despite her impressive career, Gervais remains focused on taking each day as it comes and continuing to make a positive impact on and off the field, inspiring the new generation of athletes.