Eighteen-year-old Lydia Bagley from Rotherham has been selected to play for the Junior Women’s GB team in the World Skate Games in Pescara, Italy in August 2024.
The roller hockey player, who is also a member of the Rotherham Blackhawks, has a huge opportunity to play international hockey against some of the best teams in the world, and is appealing for support to fund this
“Unfortunately, there is very little funding available as we are still classed as a minority sport,” Lydia said.
“The trip to Italy will cost over £1,500 and as I only received confirmation in early June that I had made the squad it leaves very little time to do much fundraising. I have been writing to local businesses and am hoping to find sponsors for the team to help out with the cost. If anyone wishes to sponsor our shirts or other items, please get in touch there is lots of opportunities for sponsorships.
Lydia started playing roller hockey in 2017. After watching her brother play roller hockey, she decided it was something she wanted to have a go at. She began training with the Rotherham Blackhawks Junior team. Despite a lot of disruption due to Covid restrictions, the team met up when they could and continued with fitness training, completing boot camps and friendly football games or even going for a run around Clifton Park.
In 2022, Lydia played for the Under 16s team and they came third in the central league and qualified to play in the nationals, where they also finished third. She was able to play in Belgium in July 2023 at the European Championships for the Junior Women’s team.
As well as playing roller hockey, Lydia is an avid dancer, dancing with the Janet Mitchell School of Dance where she does ballet, tap, jazz and theatre craft.
“The two could not be more different but the training I have done in dance has helped me in my roller hockey especially with balance and the core strength it has given me,” Lydia added.
“I love playing roller hockey and although I am outnumbered in a male dominated sport I am accepted and encouraged to be a role model to the younger girls on our team. I currently help coach our younger players where I work with players as young as four learning how to skate and play the game. If anyone fancies having a go we are always looking for new players.
“I am proud that women’s hockey is really taking off in the UK. There is a women’s tournament held in Market Drayton called On The Rocks. I played for the Devils women’s team last year at the tournament and was thrilled to be a part of the winning team. It’s great to see the tournament organisers looking to add more fixtures and tournaments to try and encourage women’s hockey to continue developing and growing.”
Lydia is also off to university in September this year to study Dance.
We all wish her well and if you can offer any support please visit her GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/f/lydias-trip-to-world-skate-games-2024.
Please contact Lydia’s mum (Kerry.bagley@virginmedia.com) or Kathy Morris (bipha@outlook.com) to discuss any sponsorship opportunities