Alumna Ruth Lewis first Welsh woman to represent GB at American Football European Championships

Published: 29 November 2019

This year, alumna Ruth Lewis became the first Welsh woman to represent GB at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s American Football European Championships. Ruth, who graduated from Biomedical Science at St George’s in 2009, tells us about her journey from St George’s to a professional sporting career.

What have you been up to since leaving St George's?

Since leaving St George’s, I completed a Masters at Cardiff University and began working in Software Development shortly after. I now work as a Technical Business Analyst for a company specialising in Cell & Gene Therapy software. I live in Cardiff with husband, Frank, son, Robin and dog, Penny.

How did you come to represent GB at the IFAF Women’s American Football European Championships?

I’ve always been active with running, going to the gym & rock climbing with my husband. When my son was born in 2016, I realised that I needed something else to keep me active. Running and going to the gym were good, but there was no one to hold the baby then we were a bit stuck. So, I started looking for a team sport that could improve my health and fitness while also encompassing the social element as a Mum looking for some ‘me time’. My good friend was (and is) the Defensive Co-ordinator for the Cardiff Valkyries - the only all-women American Football team in Wales. In 2017, she suggested I attend the rookie day. I was hooked. I’ve always been a fan of rugby but never really had the time to get stuck into it.

The Valkyries took part in their first contact tournament in 2017, with my son on the sidelines - fast asleep! The tournament went well and we all learned so much. We decided to give flag football a go and we did well in a friendly tournament over the summer. My coach pushed me to attend the GB flag trials and I successfully secured my position on the GB Flag practice squad. I was then scouted at a contact tournament for the GB contact training squad. The following year I spent my weekends travelling the country training with the GB squads and training with as many teams as possible to get the experience I needed to take into the upcoming European Championships.

The IFAF Women’s European Championships were held in Leeds in August this year - the first time we’ve hosted. I was back in halls as the team were based at Leeds Beckett University and it reminded me of my time in Friendship House all those years ago! We won 2/3 games and had a fantastic time doing it. The team trained hard and fought harder. We battled to the end and were two points away from Gold but points difference put us in Bronze position.

I thought this would be a nice Sunday activity that I could enjoy with my new-found friends. Never in my dreams did I think it would go as far as it has.

How did it feel to win?

I thought this would be a nice Sunday activity that I could enjoy with my new-found friends. Never in my dreams did I think it would go as far as it has. It feels a bit surreal!

Would you have any advice for other women who'd like to follow in your footsteps?
If anyone was looking to get involved there are teams all around the UK and a few in and around London. If contact isn’t for you, there’s flag football which is a scaled down, non-contact, faster form of the sport. There are teams holding Rookie days now so check them out on Social media if you’re interested. I’m a 31-year-old, full-time working Mum who managed to find her way to the GB squad - so if I can, anyone can!

What are your sporting plans for the next few years?

Football is a sport for all shapes and sizes, and I’m hoping to help to grow the sport over the UK, especially in Wales. The team is now looking forward to the World Championships in 2021.