Southampton’s first women’s American football club are on the hunt for new players.

The newly formed set-up are giving the opportunity for newbie players of any ability to give the increasingly popular USA sport a go and potentially join their ranks.

The club, organised and run by three female Team GB players, have been training together for around a month, and will be playing in their first tournament later this month.

Despite interest already, they are eager to expand further.

“So much hard work has gone in to make this team,” said player Laura Hill. “It’s such a varied sport for all shapes and sizes, so come and give it a try.

“In American football you need players of all body shapes, fitness levels and attributes.

“It’s a very inclusive sport, any ability and new players are welcome to attend our training sessions.

“Many people would be surprised how enjoyable they’ll find it.”

The members of the women’s GB team from Southampton: Dawn Seymour, Hill and Julia Robinson, have recently come back from Sweden where they have made history for ladies’ American football in the UK.

In Stockholm they shocked the Swedish national team, who are known as a major power in the female game, coming away with a shock 26-14 victory in their inaugural game as Team GB. To add to that excitement the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) have announced they will host a European Championships next summer in Spain, which Seymour, Hill and Robinson will be aiming to play at.

“It's nice for us as have a set goal to aim for,” said Hill. “We will hopefully do what's needed in order to qualify (for the European Championships) and get the team ready for the event.”

Although there has been a University of Southampton female team set-up in the past, this is the first time American football has been available to women in the city’s local community.

“The taster sessions are going well,” said Hill. “We’re hoping to be ready for the first tournament in two weeks time.”

Training takes place at Lordshill Recreation Ground every Saturday between 10am and noon.