Representing Canada in flag football is a 'dream come true' for Dom Horvath

In 2028, flag football will make its debut at the Summer Olympics, hosted by the United States in Los Angeles. At the national level, flag football registration has skyrocketed since the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) announcement of the sport’s inclusion in October of 2023. Leagues across the country have reported 100 percent annual growth in participation, and at the national team level, the red and white have already proven they’ll be a serious contender.

In May of 2025, long-time Canadian Football League (CFL) coach Paul LaPolice – one of the smartest minds in the game – was named Head Coach of the Men’s Senior National Team. On the women’s side, World Champion Rachel Lessard was brought in to lead the Women’s Senior National Team.

Football Canada Chairperson Jo-Anne Polak, in a letter to football players, coaches and supporters around the country, wrote that flag football’s inclusion in the Olympics is an opportunity for “Canada to definitively stake its claim as a football powerhouse,” adding that “it’s a moment that redefines what football can mean for Canada, and who it can belong to.”

The results from the red and what thus far, have proven that statement to be true.

Over the last year, Canada has brushed shoulders with some of the world’s best in the sport, including the United States, proving to be a force to be reckoned with.   

The men went undefeated at the 2025 International Bowl in June and they took home bronze at the IFAF Continental Championship in September, beating Panama 38-22. Meanwhile, the women secured bronze at the World Games in Chendu, China in August and won silver at the Continental Championship the month after.

Canada’s first chance to qualify for the 2028 Olympics takes place in Dusseldorf, Germany from August 13-16 as part of the IFAF World Championships. The first two qualification spots for both the men and women will be on the line at the event.

On the men’s side, Winnipeg will play host to a selection camp at Princess Auto Stadium from April 30-May 3. Thirty invitations were sent out to the top flag football athletes Canada has to offer, and among them is local product Dom Horvath.

Horvath is no stranger to the sport of flag, or to Team Canada. Over the past year, he’s trained and competed with the best of the best, earning a spot as an alternate on the 2025 National Team after a sensational showing during the ID, and Top 50 camps.

He also travelled with Team Canada in March to Chula Vista, California for National Team Training Camp, where he was joined by former Manitoba Bisons football quarterback Jackson Tachinski.

“The past year has been an absolute blur. It’s been more than anything I could ever imagine. It hasn’t even been a full calendar year since I made the team. I remember when I got the email saying I got invited to the Top 50, I was by myself in my house. I was doing laps in the house because I was so excited for the chance to finally prove myself, and prove I can be a factor and be one of the best players in Canada,” reflected Horvath.

“Once I got the call saying I made the team as an alternate, my heart sunk. I couldn’t believe this scrawny kid from Manitoba actually made this football team, getting the opportunity to represent my country.”

Horvath in Chula Vista. Photo by Isaiah King.

‘A full circle moment’

As Horvath noted, he’s not the biggest or strongest player on Canada’s roster. He didn’t get drafted to play in the CFL like a variety of his comrades, and he wasn’t recruited to play tackle football in university. But rest assured, the charismatic, athletic playmaker is no joke on the field.

“I’m super flexible. I can put my body in weird and uncomfortable positions,” he chuckled.

“Tackle players who aren’t training for that, they can’t put their hand in the ground or butt to the ground while keeping your knees off the ground going full speed, plus the hip twist. Me personally, my skill-set of being fast but also being super flexible is something that typical tackle players don’t do, because they’re not training for that.”

“It’s a lot different than tackle,” Horvath added.

“Not in bad ways, but in good ways. Tackle and flag can co-exist in the same world. Tackle players don’t have to think we’re better than flag players and vice-versa. We can both play our own versions of the sport and enjoy it.”

In Chula Vista, Horvath originally tried out as a centre and defensive back, but he “found his home” as a rusher. In his first practice at the position, he got three sacks and multiple bat-downs. Now, he’s competing with the team’s starting rusher and has a legit shot to secure the position.

“When I was 14, 15, 16, that’s what I was doing. That was my bread and butter,” he said.

“It’s been a full circle moment being a rusher for Team Canada. In tackle, the quarterback has five guys blocking for him. In flag, you don’t. You’ve got a guy that’s coming at you. You have seven total seconds to throw, but by the time the rusher gets to you, you really only have 2.5 seconds to make a read and make a throw. Everything is super quick in small spaces. You have to be able to go between two people but maintain speed, and cut quickly.”

Horvath found his role in Chula Vista as a rusher. Photo by Isaiah King.

Horvath’s flag football journey began when he was 12 years old. A natural as a rusher in the five-man game, Horvath immediately found his niche. He won national gold at the position at the U16 level, and was also named Defensive MVP.

Throughout the same time period, he proved his worth in tackle football. He was a standout for the Miles Mac Buckeyes and later earned a starting role for the Winnipeg Rifles as a defensive back in the Canadian Junior Football League.

When his tackle days ended, Horvath made his mark in the PIT, Canada’s largest touch and flag football league with divisions in touch, flag and co-ed. A provincial champion at the D1 level with Peg City, the league’s offered Horvath a place to hone his skills and compete with some of the best athletes flag has to offer.

Being able to train year-round in the sport helped Horvath prepare for the Top 50 Camp with Team Canada, and to keep his skills sharp.

“It’s great. Now with the competition being at a great level, we have to come in every week and watch film. These teams are no joke,” said Horvath of D1 flag.

“I love where Manitoba flag is going. It’s so much better for the PIT as a league and for us as players to develop. There was a big gap after high school, because once you got through U18, back then there was no more flag in Manitoba. I played tackle, but once the PIT league opened up to flag, it’s just been crazy to experience and seeing us grow.”

Horvath evades multiple defenders during D1 flag action in the PIT.

‘It’s an unbelievable feeling’

Competing with Team Canada has been a “dream come true” for Horvath. He’s turning 27 this year, and is “not even close to his prime” in the sport. The Men’s Selection Camp next weekend serves as yet another opportunity for the Winnipeg native to showcase his skills, and grow the game in Manitoba.

“Younger me always wanted to represent Canada and to get flag to the next level,” he said.

“To wear the maple leaf on my chest, it’s an unbelievable feeling. Words can’t describe how amazing that is. It’s so nice to see that after high school there’s so many outlets to play football in general. It’s not done after junior or university. You can go for however long your body lets you go playing football.”