Football Canada Launches National Fundraising Campaign to Power Canada’s #RoadToGold in Flag Football

Ottawa, ON — November 13th, 2025 — Football Canada is proud to announce the launch a national fundraising campaign designed to propel Canada’s Men’s and Women’s National Flag Football Teams toward the 2028 Olympic Games.

For the first time since Football Canada’s founding in 1884, the sport is heading to the Olympics — and Canada’s athletes are ready to compete for gold. This campaign invites Canadians from coast to coast to coast to help build the foundation for Olympic success, ensuring that every athlete representing the Maple Leaf has the resources, preparation, and support they need to reach the podium. 

Today marks the start of an exciting new chapter for our sport,” said Kevin McDonald, Executive Director of Football Canada. “For years, Canada has been a proud part of the global football community, developing amazing athletes, coaches, and leaders who’ve made their mark in leagues all around the world. Now that flag football is part of the 2028 Olympic Games, we get the chance to show our skills on the biggest stage out there, and to bring Canadians together around one goal: winning gold.” 

Flag football is one of Canada’s fastest-growing sports, uniting players across all backgrounds through teamwork, speed, and skill. But representing Canada internationally still comes at a personal cost. Athletes currently pay thousands of dollars in travel, accommodation, and competition fees, an inequity that limits opportunity and puts unnecessary strain on those competing for their country. 

This national fundraising effort aims to change that by removing financial barriers and creating a high-performance environment built for sustained success. 

The campaign will support three key pillars of growth: 

• Athlete Investment: Remove financial barriers for athletes, allowing them to focus on training, competition and performance. 

• Pathway Development: Funding identification camps, training opportunities, and mentorship for the next generation of Olympic hopefuls. 

• Sporting Excellence: Enhancing access to elite coaching, technology, and international competition to keep Team Canada podium-ready. 

“One of the greatest lessons this game has taught me is that progress never happens by chance” said Jo-Anne Polak, Chair of the Board of Governors of Football Canada, “It happens because people decide it’s worth fighting for and working together collectively to make it real. This is our time to make that decision for the sport of football in Canada.” 

From grassroots to gold, every contribution strengthens the system that develops future Flag Football Olympians. Donations go directly toward travel, training, and competition support, ensuring that talent—not affordability—determines who wears the maple leaf on the world’s biggest stage. 

Under the guidance of two-time Grey Cup-winning coach Paul LaPolice, the Men’s National Team has already made history — becoming the first international flag football team to feature a Super Bowl Champion and going undefeated at the 2025 International Bowl, followed by capping the year with a bronze medal at the 2025 IFAF Continental Championship. 

On the women’s side, Head Coach Rachel Lessard has led a program that continues to break barriers. The team captured bronze at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China, silver at the IFAF Continental Championship, and inspired millions through a nationally televised exhibition at a Buffalo Bills halftime show in October — bringing Canadian flag football to a global audience. 

This national campaign marks a new era for the sport of football and our storied organization. One where Canadians everywhere can play a role in writing the next chapter of this historic moment and remind the world that Canada is, in fact, a football country.  
 
For those looking to make a larger impact, Football Canada is also launching: “The Champion’s Circle”. A premier giving opportunity designed for major donors and partners, that provides exclusive access, recognition, and experiences while directly supporting the sustained success of Canada’s national flag football programs on the Olympic stage. 

To support Canada’s #RoadToGold and heldp shape the future of Canadian football, visit FootballCanada.com/The-Next-Chapter 

In addition to the national fundraising campaign and The Champion’s Circle, Football Canada has also launched an online auction featuring exclusive Team Canada merchandise, signed memorabilia, one-of-a-kind experiences and donations from our partners. Every bid helps support our athletes on their #RoadToGold. 

Browse the auction and place your bids at https://can.givergy.com/footballcanada/