A Westgate teenager has been chosen for Team GB to compete in the American Flag Football under 17’s girls squad at the European championships this September.

Darna Kelleher, 15, has been playing the sport with Thanet Mustangs for five years, joining after the covid pandemic hit.

She said: “Covid hit in 2020 and I got pulled out of school and started home educating. I made a friend through one of the online groups and she knew I liked sport and begged me to come along to the club.

“I just fell in love with the sport. It is just so inclusive. You join the club and meet so many different people with different backgrounds. It’s just nice that you can turn up and not know a single thing but instantly feel included.”

American Flag Football is a low contact sport where, instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier.

Darna, who is now in Year 10 and continuing home schooling with Mid Kent College online, said: “It is a sport in its own right, like TAG rugby, with flags that you pull. It’s inclusive, especially for people who might be nervous to do a contact sport.

Darna, who is hoping to study electrical engineering at Canterbury college and then go on to a London Underground apprenticeship, has played in the Team GB youth squads twice before.

Darna lives with her dad and two siblings. Sadly her mum Lei passed away from cancer in August 2024.

The teen said: “It started with primary breast cancer but it was the type that spread around her body to her stomach and lungs.

“When I was accepted in the under 15s category we went to Italy and mum came with me.

“We didn’t do great, we got eighth place, but I think this is my time to do better.”

Darna has been through a challenging time but says she thinks her mum would be proud to see her make the GB team this year.

Her godmother Natalie Smith will be flying out to Austria to support her during the championships.

However, Darna has to fundraise to pay for her flight, hotel and other costs such as food.

She said: In my group, there are 14 of us and our amazing coaching team.  I need to pay for my flights, staying out there, food and other costs which is why there is a GoFundMe.

“I’m very excited about it.”

Find the fundraiser for Darna by clicking here

American Flag Football is set to be included as an Olympic sport in 2028.

The European championships take place at Innsbruck’s American Football Zentrum and Sportanlage Wiesengasse on September 3-7.

Great Britain Project Officer and Youth Team Manager Danika Taylor said: “For these young athletes, it’s not just a game, it’s a chance to wear the flag with pride, compete against the best in Europe, and take one step closer to the sport’s biggest stage: the Olympic Games.

“With Flag Football set to debut at LA28, we’re not just preparing for a tournament, we’re building the foundations for Olympic success.”

Thanet Mustangs train at Northdown Park in Margate with founder Head Coach Phil Cartwright every Sunday from 1pm-3pm.

The sessions, for boys and girls aged eight to 17, are free.

Find Thanet Mustangs on Facebook by clicking here