Sabrina Gervais, a mother, healthcare professional, and seasoned flag football player, aims to fulfill her Olympic aspirations as she leads Canada’s national women’s team at the 2026 world championship. The team’s goal extends beyond winning the gold medal; they are eyeing a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking the sport’s Olympic debut.

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 kicks off in Duesseldorf, Germany, with Canada set to play against Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the initial matches. The top-two teams will secure Olympic berths, except if the United States reaches the gold-medal game, in which case the top-three teams advance due to the U.S. already being guaranteed a spot as the host nation.

While the world championship serves as a crucial Olympic qualifier, failing to secure a spot in Germany would mean participating in subsequent events for another shot at Olympic qualification. Canada, a strong contender for the gold, qualified for the championship by reaching the final of the previous year’s IFAF Americas Continental championship, where they faced challenging weather conditions.

With her extensive experience in flag football spanning 24 years, Gervais, a resident of Maskinonge, Que., remains optimistic about Canada’s performance in Germany. Reflecting on their bronze medal win at the 2025 World Games in China, she acknowledged that their success has garnered attention and raised expectations.

Aside from her athletic pursuits, Gervais balances her roles as a mother of twins and a full-time healthcare professional, emphasizing the importance of discipline, rest, and a supportive network in maintaining her physical and mental well-being. She also takes pride in mentoring younger players and attributes much of Canada’s success to the team’s cohesion and the guidance of head coach Rachel Lessard.

Gervais remains focused on the present, taking a day-by-day approach to her career and cherishing the opportunity to make a lasting impact both on and off the field.