Five standout athletes from Mato Grosso do Sul have earned a spot on Brazil’s women’s flag football team, Brasil Onças, as they gear up for the 2025 season. This dynamic sport is set to debut as an official event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking a notable milestone for flag football globally.
On Tuesday evening (22), a total of 21 Brazilian players were selected to represent the nation. Among them, the five athletes from Mato Grosso do Sul, who play for the state team Cobrarés, include:
- Taísa Alencar – wide Receiver/Center
- Milena Ajiki – Wide Receiver/Center
- Karoline Furoni – Defensive Back/Blitzer
- Pâmella Ribeiro – Defensive Back
- Lidiane Lira – quarterback
This selection marks the beginning of rigorous preparations for the Olympic cycle, with the Brazilian team aiming to secure a spot in the 2028 games. Alongside the athletes, the technical committee was also unveiled on Tuesday (21), featuring:
Ana Luiza Cazarin as head coach, Beatriz Baptista as offensive coordinator, Ingrid Camargo as defensive coordinator, Cauê Martins as quarterback coordinator, Paulo Victor Guimarães as offensive assistant, and Anthony Cannon as defensive assistant.
What is Flag Football?
Flag football is a fast-paced variant of American football, sharing the same objective: to advance the ball into the opponent’s end zone to score touchdowns.Though, the key difference lies in the method of stopping play. Instead of tackling,players must remove a flag attached to the ball carrier’s waist,eliminating the need for heavy protective gear. This makes speed, agility, and strategy the defining factors of the game.
A Legacy of Excellence
The inclusion of five athletes from Mato Grosso do Sul is no surprise, as the state’s team has consistently dominated the national scene. In december of last year, the Cobrarés squad clinched their second Women’s flag Football Brazil World Cup title in Manaus (AM), solidifying their reputation as the country’s best.
With an unbeaten campaign, the team faced off against Vasco Almirantes in the final, securing a decisive 19-6 victory. This triumph marked their second championship win, the first having been achieved four years prior.
Lidiane Lira, the team’s quarterback and captain, was honored as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Taísa Alencar was recognized as the top offensive athlete. These accolades highlight the extraordinary talent within the Cobrarés roster, raising hopes for their performance at the 2028 Olympics.
Meet the Squad
Defensive Backs and Blitzers
Amanda Boabaid – Desterro Atlantis (Santa Catarina)
Fernanda Justino – Parnamirim Scorpions (Rio Grande do Norte)
Jennifer Leitão – RP Weilers (São paulo)
Karoline Furoni – Cobrarés (Mato Grosso do Sul) and Caipiras (São Paulo)
Pâmela Peres – Vasco Almirantes (Rio de janeiro)
Pamella Ribeiro – Cobrarés (Mato grosso do Sul)
Rafaela de Paula – Valkyrias (Amazonas)
Thamires Soares – Vasco Almirantes (Rio de Janeiro)
Wide Receivers and Centers
Bruna Quost – Sirius Flag Football (Santa Catarina)
Ellen Bruna Alencar – Toronto Rebels (Canada) and Sweet Heat (Canada)
Gabrela Bankhardt – Desterro Atlantis (Santa Catarina) and Caniballs (São Paulo)
Giulianna Bulkley – Xavier College Prep High School (USA)
Júlia Meller – Desterro Atlantis (Santa Catarina) and Caniballs (São Paulo)
Kissy Barbosa – Wolfsbane (São Paulo)
Lara Nesralla – Vasco Almirantes (Rio de Janeiro)
Lara Torelli – Vasco Almirantes (rio de Janeiro)
Milena Ajiki – Cobrarés (Mato Grosso do Sul)
Taisa Alencar – Cobrarés (Mato Grosso do Sul) and Caipiras (São Paulo)
Quarterbacks
Ester Alencar – RP Weilers (São Paulo)
Fernanda maciel – Valkyrias (Amazonas)
Lidiane Lira – Cobrarés (Mato Grosso do Sul)
Mato Grosso do Sul Athletes Make History as Flag Football Gains Olympic Spotlight
In a landmark moment for Brazilian sports, five exceptional athletes from Mato Grosso do Sul have been selected to represent Brazil on the national women’s flag football team, Brasil Onças, as they prepare for the 2025 season. This comes ahead of flag football’s highly anticipated debut as an official event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a milestone that underscores the sport’s growing global recognition.
On tuesday evening (March 21), the Brazilian national team unveiled its 21-player roster, with the Mato Grosso do Sul contingent proudly representing the state team Cobrarés. The selected athletes and their positions are as follows:
- Taísa Alencar – Wide Receiver/Center
- Milena Ajiki – Wide Receiver/center
- Karoline Furoni – Defensive Back/Blitzer
- Pâmella Ribeiro – Defensive Back
- Lidiane Lira – Quarterback
This selection signals the start of an intensive Olympic preparation cycle, as the Brazilian team sets its sights on securing a spot in the 2028 Games. The athletes will be supported by a seasoned technical committee, also announced on Tuesday, which includes:
- Ana Luiza Cazarin – head Coach
- Beatriz Baptista – Offensive Coordinator
- Ingrid Camargo – Defensive Coordinator
- Cauê Martins – quarterback Coordinator
- Paulo Victor Guimarães – Offensive Assistant
- Anthony Cannon – Defensive Assistant
What is flag Football?
for those unfamiliar with the sport, flag football is a fast-paced, non-contact variant of american football. Rather of tackling, players remove a flag from their opponent’s belt to halt play. The sport retains the strategic and dynamic elements of its parent game, emphasizing speed, agility, and tactical play. Its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics marks a significant step in the sport’s evolution, bringing it to a global stage and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
A Proud Moment for Mato Grosso do Sul
The selection of five athletes from Mato Grosso do Sul is a testament to the state’s thriving sports culture and its ability to produce world-class talent. The Cobrarés team has long been a breeding ground for skilled players, and this achievement further solidifies its reputation as a flag football powerhouse in Brazil.
As the Brasil Onças embark on their journey toward the 2028 Olympics, the eyes of the nation will be on these remarkable athletes. Their dedication, skill, and determination not only represent the spirit of flag football but also inspire hope for Brazil’s success on the international stage.
This is just the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating chapter for Brazilian flag football—and for the athletes of Mato Grosso do Sul, it’s a moment to savor as they step into the spotlight.
