WATCH: Could you be a Sandwell Steeler American Football player?

The Sandwell Steelers women's team was started a year ago and currently boasts 18 players, though more recruits are being sought to help swell numbers so the team can play in 11-a-side games instead of the current five-a-side.

Libby Davoren, 23, one of the team's players, said new members did not have to have played the sport before and could come along for a free trial at one of the team's training sessions, which are held at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury on Wednesdays and at Tipton Sports Academy on Sundays.

She said players did not have to be a specific size or age as there were plenty of positions suited to people of different builds.

She added: "It is not every girl's cup of tea, but there are a lot of women's rugby teams about and we do have all the protective gear so it is very safe."

She said there were a lot of tactics involved with the sport and the team spends an hour a week discussing what runs they were going to make.

"It is an interesting sport. Everyone just thinks it is really violent, but it is not. It is all about footwork and technique and being in the right place," Miss Davoren added.

The 23-year-old, who lives in Great Barr, said the women's team was started by Lauren Mills and is linked to the Sandwell Steelers men's team, which currently has between 50-60 players, which is the number the women's team is aiming to achieve.

The women play in the British American Football Association's Midlands group, which includes teams from Manchester, Derby, Leeds and Birmingham.

However, Miss Davoren said the best teams in the league were the Birmingham Lions, who beat the Steelers 86-0 on Saturday and the Hertfordshire team.

The Sandwell team did have more success in their other game on Saturday, beating the Chester Romans 26-18.

The club's treasurer, Stuart Potts-Perkins, said although the game itself has been growing in popularity in the UK for around 30 years, the women's game is currently growing exponentially.

"The women's game is growing incredibly fast," Mr Potts-Perkins, aged 46, of Troon Road, Wordsley, said. "The ladies team at the club started only last year and already we have 17 dedicated players and they have accomplished a lot.

"I read an article recently that was looking at growth and increase of players in the league we play in, and it said whilst youth and senior teams have grown between five and 10 per cent, participation by women has increased by more than 250 per cent. It is absolutely incredible."

Last year, two of the players on the women's team, Lauren Mills and Vicci Rollinson, were selected to participate in the national team in a match against Sweden.

"For a team as young as ours to be given the honour of two of our players being selected to play in an international match, it was just incredible," Mr Potts-Perkins said. "It was such a point of pride for us."

Mr Potts-Perkins said he would like to see more women take up the sport, and more growth within the club itself.

"When you look at other teams in the country, many of them are affiliated with universities, teams like the Birmingham Lions, which are based at Birmingham University, whilst we aren't.

"Maybe in a couple of years, with more growth, we will be able to take them on and other teams like that, but we will need to see more participation."

Mr Potts-Perkins said he believes American Football is a sport that anyone can take part in.

"To people who are a bit apprehensive about taking it up, I would say come along and have a go," he said. "When I first started, 29 years ago, I was just a lad who was interested in the idea, now I am still here all these years later.

"It is a sport that is accepting of everybody. Whether you are the whippet who can run up and down the field or whether you are a bit larger, with core body strength, there is a place for you on the team.

"People come and go because they might decide it is not for them, but it is like anything, you do not know whether you like it until you come along and try it."

Matches last an hour and take place at Portway Lifestyle Centre.

For more information or to join pop along to a training session or visit www.sandwellsteelers.com.