Hi, I'm Vickie, Rhys' mum.

Rhys is a 14-year-old roller hockey goaltender from Pontypridd who has just received his first-ever call-up to represent Great Britain. He has been selected for the British Inline & Roller Hockey Association (Bipha) GB squad for the State Wars tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in July — and a strong performance there could earn him a place at the 2026 European Inline Hockey Championships in Ireland later this year.

This is an extraordinary achievement for a teenager who has poured everything into his sport, playing roller hockey for the Cardiff Reapers and Deeside Predators while also developing his game at the Cardiff Devils and Swindon Wildcats junior ice hockey academies. He has been playing senior roller hockey alongside his dad, Gareth, since the age of 12.

Like many young players selected for international tournaments, Rhys is responsible for funding his own trip. The costs of flights, accommodation, tournament fees, kit, and insurance are significant for a family like ours, and we are doing everything we can to support him. To help make sure Rhys can focus entirely on his performance when he gets there, we have set up this fundraising page.

Rhys is also taking on a sponsored climb of Pen y Fan on 30 May — in full ice hockey goaltender gear — joined by teammates and supporters. Every pound raised through the climb and through this page goes directly towards getting him to the United States.

Any donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. Thank you so much for your support.