Sabrina Gervais, a mother, healthcare professional, and seasoned flag football player, is aiming to make her mark as an Olympian. Leading Canada’s national women’s team in the upcoming 2026 world championship, Gervais and her team are not only eyeing a gold medal but also a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will debut.
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 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 kicks off in Düsseldorf, Germany, with Canada set to face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the preliminary matches.
The top-two finishers in the championship will secure Olympic berths. However, if the United States reaches the gold-medal game, the top-three teams will advance, as the U.S. already has a guaranteed spot in Los Angeles as the host nation.
Although the world championship is not the final Olympic qualifying event, failing to secure a spot in Germany would mean participating in next year’s IFAF continental championship and the final Olympic qualifier series in 2028.
Canada, a strong contender for the gold in Germany, earned its world championship qualification by reaching the final of last year’s IFAF Americas Continental championship, where they lost to Mexico in a game cut short by severe weather conditions.
Gervais, a 36-year-old from Maskinonge, Que., is optimistic about a rematch with Mexico and hopes for a full game this time, saying, “Of course, we’ve been working on improving to play them. Hopefully, we’ll see each other, but we’re ready. We can just learn from what happened last year and do our best.”
Canada’s success in the 2025 World Games in China, where they won a bronze medal, has raised their profile in international women’s flag football. Despite the increased attention, Gervais remains focused on giving her best on the field and letting the results speak for themselves.
Apart from her athletic pursuits, Gervais, who has been playing flag football for 24 years, balances her sports career with motherhood and a full-time job as an osteopath and kinesiologist. She emphasizes the importance of staying resilient, patient, and maintaining good health habits to support her active lifestyle.
As a mentor to younger players, Gervais stresses the significance of positivity and teamwork on the field. She credits head coach Rachel Lessard for Canada’s achievements and values the team’s chemistry as a key strength.
Taking a day-at-a-time approach, Gervais remains focused on enjoying the game and making a positive impact both on and off the field. She believes in the power of determination and hopes to inspire the new generation through her dedication and achievements.