Quarterback Sara Parker looking to add Olympian to impressive flag football resume

What began as something to do with friends has blossomed into an Olympic dream for Sara Parker.

Parker first picked up a football at age 13 when she decided to try out for her school's flag team. She began the sport because it was played in spring — after the ringette, field hockey and basketball seasons — and was something new she and her friends could do.

Thirteen years later, Parker, of Montreal, is a member of the national women's program that's on the cusp of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where flag football will make its Olympic debut.

"I had no clue what flag football was, I didn't come from a football family," Parker said. "My mom was a softball player so we'd throw the ball in front of the house and she's the one who taught me how to throw a football.

"Honestly, throughout my entire career I've been able to see the sport grow and grow with it. It's amazing where flag football has taken me … it's been a dream really."

Canadian women embrace pressure ahead of flag football world championship

University of Regina flag football club says jump to U Sports offers new opportunities for female athletes

In August, Canada will compete at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship in Germany. The top-two teams will qualify for the L.A. Games but if the United States reaches the final, the top three will advance as the Americans already have an Olympic spot as host.

Canada qualified for the world event by reaching last year's IFAF Americas Continental championship in Panama, dropping a 12-0 decision to Mexico in a contest halted in the first half by severe weather. That followed a historic bronze medal at the '25 World Games in China, Canada's first-ever international women's