The trailblazing American Football star who is bringing the sport to girls in Manchester

When Phoebe Schecter signed up for the flag football club in Manchester, she did it because she was homesick. Little did she know that a search for some home comfort would lead her to making history as Britain’s first female NFL Coach.

“I moved here to work with horses in the Cheshire area," said the 34-year-old, originally from Connecticut.

“I was missing home, it was December in sunny Manchester and once I saw the ad for the league in Manchester, it just felt like a sign.

“That mixture of homesickness, wanting to make friends, being 22 and living in a foreign country could be isolating at the same time. That day really changed my life because that one decision of going to the trials in Manchester has led me to where I am now.”

READ MORE: Jodie Whittaker seen filming scenes for new Netflix show in Greater Manchester

Phoebe impressed at the Manchester trials and before long she was a stalwart in the GB Women’s American Football team where she eventually became captain, leading them to the final of the 2015 European Championships. In 2018 she etched her name in the history books when she landed her first coaching position at the highest level of American Football for the NFL’s Buffallo Bills.

Speaking about her time at the Bills in a male dominated high stakes environment, she said. “It’s almost indescribable in a lot of ways. Until you’ve lived it and been in it, I don’t think anyone would understand what it means and feels like.

“You’re there from 5:30am until 11pm, everyday is like that for six months straight. But when you’re going through an organisation and everyone is so motivated you want to be better just not for yourself but for other people.

“I remember when I came back from Bufallo and I felt like my