Women from across Britain are joining the Peterborough Royals American Football team for stress relief and empowerment. The team emphasizes mental wellbeing alongside the sport.
Key points
Women are joining American football for stress relief
The Peterborough Royals team emphasizes mental wellbeing
Kim, Suzie and Leila - women wearing football helmets, smiling for the camera.
Kim Sommerman, Suzie Shamu and Leila Blake said it has helped them make friends [Shariqua Ahmed/BBC]
On a sunny Saturday morning in April, a large group of women are warming up for a training session like no other. They call it "empowering".
For the Peterborough Royals American Football team, based at the city's rugby club in Bretton, the sport is a much about stress-busting and mental wellbeing as quarterbacks and touchdowns.
The Royals have been together for 10 years and have grown into a diverse squad, with members travelling from all over Britain, including Norwich, Northamptonshire, Cambridge and Kent, as well as Northern Ireland.
Social worker Suzie Shamu, 47, from Northamptonshire, who has been part of the club since 2017, said it was "the go-to place where I can just release that stress".
"It has really helped me in terms of my mental health, my emotional health, my social well-being - I've made loads of friends," she said.
"It's a good family atmosphere and everyone feels welcome. It's a controlled aggression."
Women training and doing exercise on the grass.
The team train at the Peterborough Lions Rugby Club near Bretton Park every Saturday [Shariqua Ahmed/BBC]
Leila Blake, Suzie Shamu and Kim Sommerman, standing next to each other smiling for the camera.
Q&A
What is the purpose of the Peterborough Royals American Football team?
The team focuses on stress-busting and mental wellbeing while playing American football.
Where is the Peterborough Royals American Football team based?
The team is based at the rugby club in Bretton, Peterborough.
How long has the Peterborough Royals team been active?
The Peterborough Royals American Football team has been together for 10 years.
Which regions do the members of the Peterborough Royals come from?
Members travel from various locations including Norwich, Northamptonshire, Cambridge, Kent, and Northern Ireland.
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Leila Blake, Suzie Shamu and Kim Sommerman said they enjoy coming to the sessions [Shariqua Ahmed/BBC]
The club trains every Saturday under coach Maurice Maynard and competes in national 7s leagues.
It prides itself on being "diverse and welcoming to everyone" adding that: "irrespective of body shape and size, there's a position for everyone in the game".
It has women of all ages, from 16 years to late 40s, from a variety of backgrounds and occupations.
"We all have very different jobs, but on a Saturday we put all that aside because we just want to play sports together like a family," said Leila Blake, from Peterborough.
"We have a butcher, a policewoman, a welder, social workers. We have nurses, physiotherapists, a software engineer, so it's absolutely varied."
'It's been quite a journey'
A team photo pf the Peterborough Royals - all wearing a white and purple kit, smiling for camera. Some are standing in the back row while the front row people are kneeling down. Coach Maurice is also kneeling down in the left in the front row.
The Peterborough Royals Football Team currently has 27 playing members [Peterborough Royals]
Leanne Tyres, who helped set up the Royals in 2016, said: "For me it's just seeing everyone on a Saturday getting together and doing something that isn't work.
"We take it seriously but we also have fun."
Blake, 36, who works as an apprentice coach, added: "We've been out here since January training in rain, snow, hail and today we're blessed with some glorious sunshine.
"We are proud to say this is our 10th year, and we've been on quite a journey."
Business trainer Kim Sommerman, 33, is the newest member of the club.
"I started last year, joined a few rookie days," she said. "I was immediately amazed by the sport.
"It also helps me to release any stress that I build up at work because you can't really shout at people or shake them if you feel like doing so. So that's what American Football helps me with.
"And also making friends - I moved to Peterborough last year and I was like, I don't know anybody. It's scary. I want to make friends.
"I want to find people outside of work and the club was here amazing."
'A unique sport'
Players standing in a huddle - wearing white helmets, with coach Maurice, man, standing in middle talking to them.
The club is self-funded and relies on sponsorships and community fundraisers [Shariqua Ahmed/BBC]
Shamu added: "Being a black woman, being as tall as I am - 5ft10in - with a deep voice as you can hear, people always feel intimidated when they meet me.
"I try to tell them this is a nice thing for you to try. I'm not coming to play against you.
"We just encourage anybody - it doesn't matter how small or how big you are, you always have a position to play, there's always something for you to do.
"No matter how unfit you may feel you are, just come down and try. You always have to try something new for you to say no, that's not for me."
Blake, who had never played any sport before joining the team six years ago, added: "One of the great things about American football is it's such a unique sport.
"There really is a position for everybody that I don't tend to see in a lot of other sports.
"No matter the shape you are, no matter your experience, if you're like very athletic and go to the gym or you don't, you can start this sport and join the family."
Tyres, who works in the construction industry, added: "We're always looking for new women to join because it's such an inclusive sport to play.
"I think a lot of people just don't know that we exist and know that it's something that's available in Peterborough. It's something that we're always looking for, more people to try and get involved."
Blake said the club is self-funded and organises fundraisers to buy kits.
"Sponsorships and fundraising are something that really keeps the team going.
"We usually have a home game once a season and we try to make a really big thing of that - it's on 6 June this year at the rugby club.
"We just rely on the kindness of our families and support on social media as every little helps."
Tyres added that the club was seeking support from local businesses to replace ageing equipment, including helmets and shoulder pads, which are no longer usable.
They said it is becoming difficult to keep the sport affordable and accessible without sponsorship.
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