It wasn't until they stumbled across the Cardiff Valkyries at Pride Cymru that Ari really came out of their shell.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Ari Brumwell from Cardiff struggled to leave the house. Their anxiety was debilitating and meant that they were overwhelmed when being around loads of people.

The website content editor realised how unhealthy they were from staying in the house all the time, and decided to make a big change.

After joining the gym and going on outdoor walks Ari's anxiety gradually got better, but it wasn't until they stumbled across the Cardiff Valkyries at Pride Cymru that they really came out of their shell.

The now 31-year-old joined the female American football team in 2024 after spotting them during the Pride parade. They tried out at one of the Cardiff Valkyrie "rookie days" after doubts that they wouldn't be good enough, and finally they found their community. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

Speaking of their anxiety Ari said: "I've always had a bit of an issue with anxiety and I found since COVID particularly, I found it really hard going out and socialising. I would just get really overwhelmed. I would just get really overwhelmed to the point where it would almost become a cycle then, where just going and doing normal things, it would become more of a challenge just because of that fear to be around people.

"At the time, it was like these were things I knew that historically I enjoyed doing, so things like going to the shops, or just walking around town, or being in group settings. If I'd had anxiety, it would be a little bit, but having anxiety to the point of like getting physically stressed, like before I'd even got there, that was quite new. It was quite isolating."

They explained that they realised quite how unhealthy they'd got from just staying in the house all the time from anxiety, and decided to join the gym and go on outdoor walks to help.

It was only when they discovered Cardiff Valkyries at Pride Cymru in 2024 that they felt like they found a purpose for the exercise they were doing.

Ari said: "We were watching the parade and one of them pointed and was like, 'Oh, that's the Valkyries.' Before that, I wasn't even aware that women's American football was an option. Like, I wasn't aware of it, certainly on my own doorstep in Cardiff.

"Seeing the Valkyries for the first time was a bit mind-blowing. It's not that I ever thought women couldn't do these things, but it was like 'Oh, it exists, and there's provision for it like near me.'"

After discovering the team, Ari messaged them to ask if they could watch a game, and they messaged back asking if Ari would like to take part in one of their Rookie days.

They said: "At the time, I freaked out. I was like, 'Oh, you know, I've got no coordination, I can't catch or throw. I'm not fast. I can't run. They messaged back and just sort of said, 'Have a go. There's something for everyone.'

"So, I did. I was brave and I went and had a go at one of their rookie days, and it just started from there, really. I fell in love with it."

They said they were nervous to try out, and thought "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Ari said: "The team were really lovely, they were really welcoming. So, they got all the kit out for me so that I could have a look at it. They got me all of the jerseys and everything and the pads that fit. One of the other members of the team, she had a spare pair of football boots, so she lent me those during the rookie sessions so I could actually get into it.

"They were just all really kind and welcoming, and basically talked me through like what I'd be trying out that day. It was just basically a case then of just throwing yourself into it and having a go.

"I remember it was raining as well, so getting very comfortable very fast with just being in a lot of mud. It was really freeing. Like, I remember on the day, I was like, 'I can't believe I'm doing this.' But it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be in that sense. I loved the day and I surprised myself with how emboldened I was by the mud and the weather."

Ari explained that the team embraces everyone, is very inclusive and being part of the team is extremely empowering.

They said: "I'd never had an experience with a team sport before this, and it was really nice getting to experience that team atmosphere and camaraderie.

"We've got a bit of everyone to be honest, so like I can't run fast, I can't catch or throw, but being like being a bigger person, and being strong, there's a position for me because I can block. So it's very inclusive to different people and different body types, and the team is made up of so many different people. It's a really quite a unique environment.

"I think it's really good be in sports with women because you get to see how strong everyone is. I actually sometimes forget that men also play because I get to see how strong women are and how impressive they are, and I have nothing but admiration for my teammates on the field like that."

Ari explained that their mental health is much better since joining The Cardiff Valkyries. They said that the atmosphere and the game itself helps them escape from everyday problems.

They said: "Being in that team atmosphere is really good. It means I'm socialising and getting to enjoy running around and playing outside, which is always good. I find as well, like from an anxiety perspective, it's not that I don't get anxious or stressed, but it's like it goes quiet while I'm playing because I'm so focused on what I'm doing, I'm not stacking all the anxieties and the worries of everything else in life. So, it's a moment of just like mental quiet.

"I think it has helped my confidence. I think since playing, it's not that I don't still struggle with anxiety and sort of pushing myself out there, but I think I'd say I've become a bit more assertive."

They continued: "There's still a bit of me in disbelief. I can't believe how far I've come since 2024, but more than that, I can't believe how far I've come since before knowing about the Valkyries, before trying the gym, like just after COVID. I was such a hermit, and just the difference. It's one of those things I hope I never go back to that. Like, mental health is unpredictable, but I hope I never go back to that just because it's so much better now."

Thanks to National Lottery Good Causes funding, the club now has brand new game-day kit, training equipment, medical supplies and first aid training helping make the sport safer, more accessible and ready for even more rookies.

Ari stressed their gratitude for the grant, and said that has allowed them to play the game when they may not have been able to afford it otherwise.

They said: "The thing with a sport like American football is, you've got all the gear you have to wear to play and it's quite expensive. So, by having funding, it means it's more accessible to more members of the community, because you don't have to necessarily fork out a load of money just to get started.

"It's like for me, I wouldn't have been able to afford the pads, and the helmet, and all the stuff that goes with it. But because the team is able to provide that because of funding, now I’m able to play without that worry of, 'Can I afford it?'"

Ari hopes that one day there will be more female American football teams in Wales, so that others can enjoy the sport too. Currently members travel from far and wide to play for the Cardiff Valkyries and as they are the only team in Wales, they play mini tournaments across the bridge in England.

The player said: "It would be lovely if there were more teams. Not everyone will be in a position to travel, so I think it'd be good for other women to be able to try it out, because I think sometimes you don't know how you're going to feel about something until you do it.

"From a selfish perspective, it would be lovely to have more teams like this in Wales so we could have more games too. Who knows, maybe the sport will grow a bit more and that'll happen."