AN EX-ROMSEY school pupil represented Great Britain in the women’s American football world championship final in Finland.

Steph Wyant, an architect who grew up in Romsey, won a silver medal with team GB in the women’s American Football world championships in Vantaa, Finland.

The GB Lions lost out to the USA on Sunday, August 7 in a bid to bring home the trophy. The British side were first to score, putting them 7-0 up but the lead didn't last long with 14 all at half time, before Team USA took the championship with a score of 42-14.

28-year-old Steph Wyant attended The Romsey School and moved onto Peter Symonds College in Winchester. The local athlete also played for Romsey Hockey Club until American Football took over.

Steph’s mother Barbara Wyant is currently out supporting the team in Finland. Following the semi-final match on Wednesday, Barbara said: “We feel so proud of Steph and all the team. It was a magical moment seeing her run out on to the pitch in the national uniform and standing alongside the team and staff for the National Anthem.

“The match was nerve-racking as the lead kept changing, especially in the last few minutes of the game. Two minutes play can take 10 minutes with all the time outs and non-playing time. So, for them to score the winning touchdown and goal with 27 minutes until the end was amazing.

“We are happy for Steph and we love coming to watch. It’s a contact sport but I know she has good equipment and training how to fall.”

When Steph began Portsmouth University in 2014 the hockey player was looking for a new challenge and so attended a taster session in American Football.

Eight years later Steph says: “It was the best decision I could have made.”

The local athlete was part of the Portsmouth University team who developed Portsmouth Dreadnoughts Women's Team, to allow more women to get involved.

The Dreadnoughts is the only women's team on the south coast so often have to travel to locations such as Cardiff, Swindon, London, Birmingham and beyond.

Steph still plays for the team in the NWFL 7’s Division 1, South. The 7’s league is a compact version of what the 11 a-side GB Lions play with a smaller pitch and shorter games.

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Last summer a Team GB scout recruited Steph and one of her teammates for the GB training camp to trial for the squad.

Alongside training camp, Steph became the first woman to join the Bournemouth Bobcats so to gain more 11 a-side experience.

Steph now works for HGP Architects in Fareham and lives with her fiancé Mike Schneider in Southampton. Steph's fiancé Mike is also a member of the Bournemouth Bobcats and coaches the women’s Dreadnoughts team.

The former Romsey resident trained five to six times a week to better her chances of GB selection.

In May the running back received her letter confirming that hard work had paid off and she’d been selected for the competition in Finland.

Steph was one of 45 players selected for Team GB, from the original 100 plus that attended training camp.

On Wednesday, August 3, the team beat number two ranking Canada, taking a 20-13 lead in the last 27 seconds in the semi-final of the tournament.

The Lions then came second to the defending champions on Sunday. But while the American players play 11 a-side weekly, 55 per cent of the British squad had never played full 11 a-side.

Team USA beat off the home nation Finland to secure their place in the final.

Steph’s supporting mum Barbara said before the game: “I’m hoping for a good clean game, whatever happens, both teams will win medals and be proud.”

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