A Bury man helped his team achieve a championship win after being given the opportunity of a lifetime in Sweden.

Ben Shedwick, who is a former Bury Grammar School pupil, flew to Karlstad earlier this year to sign with Swedish American football club, Carlstad Crusaders

The first game of the regular season resulted in a win for Ben’s team who went on to gain a seven run winning streak and Carlstad led the table.

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The Carlstad Crusaders won the playoff semi-finals against the Oslo Vikings from Norway with a 42-28 result, taking the team to the final against pre-season favourites, Stockholm Mean Machine, in which they went on to secure victory with a score of 51-22 in June.

Ben said: “Winning a national championship in the manner we did was an incredible experience.

“I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to represent my hometown of Bury and the United Kingdom in Europe this year.

“The Carlstad Crusaders are an incredible organisation and being able to contribute towards the goal of returning to the very top, where they belong, is an achievement I am incredibly proud of.”

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The athlete started his American Football career playing for Chorley Buccaneers and later played for Lancashire Wolverines, Colchester Gladiators, and London Olympians.

Ben, who was born in Bury and lives in Radcliffe, is also a member of the GB Squad and will return to the club to play Sweden in Carlstad later this year.  

He added: “I am now focused on bringing what I have learned, back with me into the national team squad and hope to be able to contribute in our IFAF European Qualifier games against Sweden and Germany in October.”