Help Bloctopus (Em) get to the Roller Derby World Cup 2025

I have been working towards this dream since watching the 2018 World Cup, just after I started roller derby!

It has taken years of training and travel with my home league Convict City Rollers, 3 recent selection trainings in Sydney, Melbourne and QLD, and a number of physio visits and gym memberships, but I am immensely proud to say I will be heading to Austria in July, this year, to skate for Australia!!

Roller derby is a self-funded and emerging sport, and so I am asking for some help to not only get me there, but to cover some preparation costs in the lead up as well.

For those who don't know what Roller Derby or the World Cup is... it is a fast paced, physical, and strategic game, played on quad skates. There is no ball, only a jammer ⭐ trying to get through a pack of blockers, you could think of it as rugby on skates... minus the ball. The World Cup is a 4 day event with almost 50 countries participating! Teams will play several games and you can follow along from home via the live stream too, more info: https://rollerderbyworldcup.com/pages/2025-info

To be selected to play for Australia is a huge achievement and honour for me, but is going to be financially and physically demanding.

I would like to prioritise my strength and prehab/rehab in the lead up to the WC, which means a specific strength and conditioning program and potentially some physio visits. I also have 2 more sessions in Melbourne, and with some extra help I'd also love to be able to make some additional trips, to continue working with others in the team.

Any donation will help me get to Austria and look after my body while I work towards it. It will also help me attend as many training sessions with others in the team before we go - giving us the best shot of winning the gold!

If you'd like to know some of the estimates of costs your donation could help me cover, I have included some below:

Flights - $3200

Trains to/from Innsbruck - $200

Accommodation - average $200 a night

Food - average $70 a day

Interstate trainings; flights and bags - average $200 per trip

Strength program/physio - about $100 a session

Thank you for reading and helping me get to Austria,

Bloctopus.

Pic credit Richard Tompsett

Headshot by Beth Thompson Art & Photography