A TEENAGER from Haxby is set to achieve international honours in the tough world of American football - just six months after taking up the sport, writes Peter Martini.

Student Steven Bricknall has been selected for the Great Britain youth development squad at under-19s level, and is set to feature in their forthcoming matches against Holland next month and in Germany in July.

The 19-year-old only took up the sport after starting at Glamorgan University in October, but was invited to join the GB squad after a string of impressive displays for the nearby Cardiff Cobras team.

Bricknall, who stands 6ft 4ins and plays defence line for the Cobras, is a former Joseph Rowntree School pupil and played rugby, as prop, for York Colts, who he captained on a tour to Spain and Portugal last summer.

He works at York's Waterworld during his Easter break from university, but is looking for grants and extra sponsorship to help with his training and playing expenses.