When people think of women in sport, the first sports that come to mind are usually the likes of football and netball. American football is not like those. The violent contact sport is traditionally seen as a sport played by select men.
Many women, including those involved with the Teesside Steelers, are now challenging that idea, showing American football is a sport just as much for women as for men. TUXtra got the opportunity to speak to Steelers quarterback Racheal Tumelty on what makes this sport a great outlet for women and why others should consider taking it up.
“American football gives women a space to be powerful, loud, and unapologetically competitive,” Racheal said. “It builds confidence in a way few sports can. You’re not just improving physically, you’re learning resilience, discipline and how to trust yourself under pressure. For a lot of us, it’s also about finding a community where you’re supported, challenged, and celebrated for exactly who you are.”
Football dominates the Teesside sporting landscape but American football is growing in popularity.
“There’s nothing quite like it locally,” said Racheal. “It’s a full-contact, tactical sport that combines strength, speed and strategy. So there’s genuinely a role for everyone, no matter your body type or experience.
“You’re not just joining a sport, you’re joining a family that pushes you to be better on and off the field.”
Racheal said the best part of the game is when everything just clicks into place.
“The play comes together exactly how you’ve trained it and you can feel the energy of the whole team moving as one,” she said. “Whether it’s a perfect pass, a big tackle or a game-winning drive, nothing compares to that adrenaline and shared excitement.”
American football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK and across the North East. While the sport remains male-dominated, there are more and more opportunities out there for women to join the gridiron and the Teesside Steelers are a brilliant outlet for women looking to get into the sport.
