Rhys Bingham was a stranger to the world of American football when he enrolled at the University of Teesside but since joining he's become part of the national youth squad.

Rhys, 18, from Leicester, is a first year student on the BSc (Hons) Disaster Management degree and played rugby for eight years before enrolling in the university American Football Society for a change.

He said: "It is a great contact sport with 11 on the pitch. I play in the line-backer position, it is defensive to stop the ball from coming through. I decided to go for the trials earlier this year for the national youth squad which has players aged 16 to 19."

"I was really chuffed to be selected as I am still learning about the sport. The squad are from all over the UK with only three university students. My parents are really proud."