A FLORIST will set aside her bouquets in favour of a helmet and shoulder pads when she represents the UK in the American Football World Championships.

Lindsey Robson, of Charlton’s Florist in Crook, County Durham, says it is a dream come true to compete in the international women’s tournament in Canada.

She and her teammates from across the UK fly to Vancouver on Tuesday and will compete in three matches, with the first against their close rivals, Finland. The British team lost to the Finns in the finals of the European Championships in 2015 and are keen to settle the score.

But for Miss Robson simply playing in the tournament feels like scoring a touchdown.

The 27-year-old former cheerleader only took up the sport four years ago and it has transformed her life. Most weekends are now spent training with her team, the Derby Braves, and her weeknights are spent honing her fitness in the gym.

“American football and floristry are my life,” she said.

“I was a cheerleader for ten years and I used to cheer for the Teesside University American football team. I remember being on the side lines and thinking ‘I could do that.’ I was enjoying the excitement of the game more than the cheerleading so I decided to give it a go.”

Miss Robson started out at Teesside and then played for the East Killbride Pirates in Scotland, before moving to Derby, where she plays the offensive line left tackle.

“The number of women playing American football has shot up since I started playing four years ago,” she said.

“I think a lot of it is down to campaigns such as This Girl Can encouraging women to get active. I love American football because it is so tactical and exciting.

“My job is to block players in certain positions to create running lines for the ball carriers to run through.

“You are always looking at how your opponents react and trying to predict what they will do. You use tactics to win the game and that is what I love about it.”

If the British team triumph over Finland, they will go on to play Canada. And if they win that match they will go forward to the finals, where they expect to play against the United States.

“It really is a dream come true for me,” said Miss Robson, who grew up in Bishop Auckland and now lives in Durham City.

“Playing in the Euros in Spain was one of the best experiences of my life. I am sure Canada will be unforgettable.”

Miss Robson would like to thank Inkheart Tattoo in Bishop Auckland for helping her raise funds for the trip and 60smarter.com for providing training advice.