Help Smackbeth Get to the 2025 World Cup!

Hi friends!!

It's me, Smackbeth (or you might know me by my people name, Jemimah)! I have been very fortunate to be chosen to represent the Philippines as a skater in this year's upcoming Roller Derby World Cup 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria. Crazy stuff, right?!

As most of you may already know, I hail from the wee land of Mackay, a regional town located in the tropics of far North Queensland, Australia.

"But wait, if you were born and raised there, then why are you representing the Philippines?"

A valid question, my friend! You see, although I am an Aussie through and through, most of my heritage comes from my mother and her family who are from the Philippines! Yes, I know you must be jealous of the food I grew up eating... But anyhow, let's get back on track -- I am a regional skater who doesn't get as many opportunities to play my sport as those from cities and haven't even been able to represent as a Mackay City Rollers skater since before the pandemic due to my league losing most of its senior players. Despite this, I have been training and working hard to get my fitness and skills up, and have been seeking potluck teams (like Team RAD) to play with to ensure I can continue to get game time whenever I can (and afford to) get it.

And well... I applied to Team Philippines, got onto the 2025 charter, and now, I'm on the World Cup Team!!

Skating in an international tournament, let alone, the World Cup, has been a personal goal of mine for a very long time, and if you had told me 10 years ago when I first started training that I'd make it here, I probably wouldn't believe you. This achievement is something I'm very proud of, and I'm honoured to be representing not only my heritage but my home town on a global scale.

Roller Derby is a self-funded sport, so every trip that I've made and gear that I've acquired has been paid for mostly from my own pocket, and this is no different. This is where I would love your help! I am fully aware that I need to prepare to be 100% financially responsible for my travels but with the cost of living and my hospitality wage, this is going to be a tight squeeze! Especially since I have also committed to attend my team's training in Sacramento, California, USA (in April!).

Flights to Austria or surrounding countries are looking to be around $4000 return alone! I'd also have to consider accommodation, insurance, spending money for food, and other methods of transportation. Not to mention the cost of new uniforms or gear that I will need to be in proper shape! Your contributions will 100% be going towards all of the above and anything else I may need while I travel and train for this huge event!

I absolutely adore this sport and its community and no matter how small the contribution, I am forever grateful to everyone who has ever supported or believed in me over the 10 years I have been a part of it. Thank you <3

Mabuhay!

Shankingly,

~Smackbeth #24

Photo Credit: Richard Tompsett