Canada looks to defend gold at Flag Worlds
Canada one of 15 nations going for gold
The Miami Florida area will play host to the 2016 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Men’s and Women’s Flag Football World Championships. Canada is one of 15 nations taking part in the event from September 8-11 at Brian Piccolo Park in Hollywood, Florida.
Both male and female draws will culminate with gold medal finals on Sunday, September 11.
Both tournaments, initially scheduled to be played in The Bahamas, were relocated to the Miami-area.
Canada’s representatives at the IFAF Flag Football World Championships were decided at the 2016 Senior Flag Football Invitational, held May 27-29 in Halifax.
Two-time defending women’s champion
Canada’ women’s national team goes for gold for a third time, after capturing first place in 2014 as well as at the 2010 worlds on home soil in Ottawa. In 2016, Canada’s female entry will be once again represented by Montreal-based Fleur de Lys who return a core group of veterans to the IFAF tournament. The Fleur de Lys were dominant at the 2016 Senior Flag Invitational, preserving an undefeated record with a 30-6 victory over Saskatchewan in the final.
Men look to medal for first time since 2008
Saskatchewan will represent Canada on the men’s side of the draw for the first time. A Nova Scotia-based contingent represented Canada at the 2010, 2012 and 2014 world championships. Following a pair of bronze medal game losses at the hands of Italy, Canada’s men’s national team enters this year’s tournament hoping to improve upon a fourth place finish in 2014.
Participating Countries
Men’s: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Guatemala, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, United States
Women’s: Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Guatemala, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Panama, United States
Canada’s rosters will be announced in the week leading up to the tournament.
The IFAF Flag Football World Championship was established in 2002 and is held every two years. Canada first participated in 2008.
Canada’s schedule at the 2016 IFAF FFWC (all times local, subject to change)
| Men’s national team | Women’s national team |
| Thursday Sept. 8 | Thursday Sept. 8 |
| 9:30 a.m. – vs. Korea | 12:30 p.m. – vs. France |
| 2:00 p.m. – vs. Italy | 3:30 p.m. – vs. U.S. |
| Friday Sept. 9 | Friday Sept. 9 |
| 9:30 a.m. – vs. Mexico | 11 a.m. – vs. Panama |
| 3:30 p.m. – vs. Great Britain | |
| Saturday Sept. 10 | Saturday Sept. 10 |
| 1:30 p.m. – vs. Denmark | 3:00 p.m. – vs. Japan |
| 4:30 p.m. – vs. Guatemala | 6:00 p.m. – vs. Guatemala |
Canada’s results at the IFAF Flag Football World Championships
| Year – Host City | Men | Women |
| 2008 – St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC | Gold | Silver |
| 2010 – Ottawa, ON | 4 | Gold |
| 2012 – Gothenburg, Sweden | 6 | Did not participate |
| 2014 – Grosseto, Italy | 4 | Gold |
