Tom said: \u201cThis is a truly-once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Playing at the World cup is a dream for me, representing not only team GB but also Sheffield on the world stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I am also really looking forward to playing against some of the other top tier skaters from around the world.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roller Derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport on quad skates, which has two primary positions: the jammer and the blockers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A match consists of multiple rounds, called jams, in which the jammer scores points by lapping members of the opposing team, whilst the blockers stop the opposing jammer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tom has been playing alongside his siblings since he was eight-years-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His mum, Fay Kenworthy, who played in the adult league, introduced Tom and his siblings to the sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Credit: Fay Kenworthy<\/p>\n\n\n\n He now plays for both Team GB\u2019s Junior Team, under the name ‘Atomic Bomb’, alongside the Sheffield Steel Roller Derby (SSRD) and the Sheffield Steel Junior Rollers (SSJR). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom said: \u201cI would describe it as similar to rugby on skates, but someone is the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roller Derby is unique in its inclusivity as athletes of all genders, body types and skill levels compete together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom said: \u201cDespite its tough image it is an incredibly supportive community and has been a huge part of my life for the last nine years, from playing with matching face paint to filling the car with team mates travelling around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roller Derby Leagues in the UK started forming in 2006 but is still a developing sport, with no government funding, meaning that Tom and his teammates have to self-source the funding for training, travel and accommodation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom said: \u201cThe main support they [Team GB] provide us is the training and the focus is just to make sure we are in our best shape when we are going into the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEven just a tiny donation can help massively and take me so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom has set up a GoFundMe<\/a> page to fundraise his goal of \u00a31,500 to help with these costs and is hoping that a local business may be interested in sponsoring him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He is also currently in his last year of college, studying maths, engineering and physics, and will be sitting his A-level exams less than a month before competing in Brisbane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom said: \u201cIt is definitely a bit of a balancing act, just making sure that I stay on top of my college work whilst also keeping up with the rest of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom’s GoFundMe can be found here: Get Tom Halsall to the Roller Derby World Cup in Australia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9254-1024x683.jpg\")
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