Canadian Women’s Team Secures 5th Place and World Games Berth at 2024 IFAF World Flag Championship
Lahti, Finland, September 5, 2024 – The Canadian women’s national flag football team has concluded their impressive campaign at the 2024 IFAF World Flag Championship, securing a 5th place finish and a spot in the 2025 World Games.
In their opening match, Team Canada set the tone with a hard-fought 34-25 victory over Italy. Quarterback Sara Parker showcased her prowess, throwing for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sarah Cormier and Emma Racine each contributed 63 yards and a touchdown, while Caroline Moquin Joubert and Emilie Carrier also found the end zone. The defense played a crucial role, with Sabrina Gervais leading the charge with 5 tackles and a 32-yard interception return. Catherine Gaumont and Jasmine Farmer each added 4 tackles, demonstrating the team’s defensive depth.
Canada’s dominance was on full display in their second game, resulting in a resounding 50-12 victory over South Korea. Parker was nearly flawless, completing an impressive 25 of 26 passes for 326 yards and 7 touchdowns. Laurence Pontbriand had a standout performance with 108 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Emma Racine added 77 yards and 3 scores. Caroline Moquin Joubert, Emilie Carrier, and Erika Bastien also made significant contributions to the offensive onslaught. Defensively, Catherine Gaumont led with 9 tackles, Jessica Bositampen recorded 6 tackles including a sack, and Tamara Jourmeau continued her strong tournament with an interception and a pass breakup.
The team’s impressive run continued with a commanding 55-0 victory over Denmark in their third game. While detailed statistics are unavailable, this shutout win further solidified Team Canada’s position as a formidable force in the tournament, showcasing their strength on both offense and defense. The team’s ability to maintain focus and execute their game plan against a variety of opponents was clearly evident in this dominant performance.
Canada faced their first real challenge in the fourth game, falling to Mexico 38-28 in a hard-fought match. Despite the setback, the team showed resilience and determination. Parker continued her strong play, throwing for 260 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sarah Cormier led the receiving corps with 80 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Laurence Pontbriand and Caroline Moquin Joubert also found the end zone. On defense, Tamara Jourmeau stood out with 2 crucial interceptions, while Catherine Gaumont and Jasmine Farmer each recorded 4 tackles, demonstrating the team’s fighting spirit even in defeat.
In the round of 16, Canada bounced back emphatically with a convincing 37-6 win over Panama. Parker was in top form, throwing for 264 yards and 5 touchdowns. Caroline Moquin Joubert led the receivers with an impressive 109 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Emma Racine (64 yards, 1 TD), Emilie Carrier (63 yards, 1 TD), and Sarah Cormier also contributed to the scoring. The defense was equally impressive, with Sabrina Gervais, Catherine Gaumont, and Tamara Jourmeau each recording an interception. Gervais led the team with 5 tackles, while Gaumont and Farmer added 4 each, showcasing the team’s ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.
Canada’s championship aspirations came to an end in the quarterfinals with a 35-20 loss to Mexico. Despite the defeat, the team fought hard until the final whistle. Parker put up a valiant effort with 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. Emma Racine had a standout game with 10 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Caroline Moquin Joubert (52 yards, 1 TD) and Emilie Carrier (46 yards, 1 TD) also found the end zone. Defensively, Catherine Gaumont led the charge with 5 tackles, and Sabrina Gervais recorded an interception, demonstrating the team’s persistence even in the face of a tough opponent.
Showing remarkable resilience, the team finished strong in the consolation bracket. They secured a thrilling 48-47 victory against Great Britain, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. This was followed by a solid 39-24 win over Spain, where the team demonstrated their depth and adaptability. These victories clinched 5th place in the tournament and earned the Canadian women’s team a berth in the 2025 World Games, scheduled for August 7th to 17th in Chengdu, China.
The team’s performance throughout the IFAF World Flag Championship and their qualification for the World Games sets the stage for continued growth and development of the sport nationwide, marking a significant milestone for Canadian flag football.
For more information, please contact:
Braydon Stachel
bstachel@footballcanada.com
