G’day everyone — I’m Reid.

I’m a 9th grader from Australia and I’m about to do something pretty wild… travel nearly 10,000 miles to Canada to chase a hockey dream.

Ice hockey in Australia is awesome, but it can only take you so far. If you really want to see how good you can become, you have to go where hockey is part of everyday life — North America. That’s where the best competition, coaching, and development for players my age exists, and this September I’ll be heading there to start 10th Grade as a student-athlete at a well thought of hockey academy just outside of Toronto, Ontario (Canada).

I’ve played hockey since I was five years old, and it’s been a huge part of my life here in Australia. I play center/winger, was lucky enough to serve as Assistant Captain for the South Australian U13 team. Along the way I’ve been honoured with a few awards like MVP and Best & Fairest in the Phil Ginsberg Championship, a Coaches Award at the Ice Hockey Australia Development Camp, MVP for the Huskies PeeWee team, and a Gold Medal with Adelaide Jokerit Club in the Scurfield Cup. But those awards really just mean I’ve had great teammates and coaches around me.

Now comes the big step — leaving home to train and study in a real Canadian hockey environment. That means new teammates, a new school, colder winters than I’ve ever remember experiencing, and competing against some of the best players my age in the world.

My family has a bit of a North American connection too. I was actually born in Manchester, New Hampshire, and my grandmother is from Liverpool, Nova Scotia, so Canada is kind of part of our family story already.

Moving a student halfway across the world isn’t easy though. My parents are doing everything they can to make this opportunity possible, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. But there are always small financial gaps that come with living and studying in another country — things like room and board, equipment, travel, and everyday expenses that add up over time.

That’s where this community can help.

If you’d like to support the journey, any donation helps close those small gaps and allows me to focus on training, studying, and competing at the highest level in the best hockey region in the world. The fundraiser links are pinned at the top of the page.

But honestly, support doesn’t only mean money. Following the page, liking posts, sharing the story with family, and offering advice as I grow in this sport means just as much.

This page is where we’ll share the real journey — preparation, travel, games, school life, homesickness, growth, and hopefully a few proud moments along the way.

My parents are giving me everything they’ve got to help me chase this dream. With a little help from people who believe in hard work and big goals, I’ll get the chance to see how far I can take it.

Thanks for being part of the team.