Two Australian boys from Point Cook have been selected to represent Australia in an inline hockey tournament in the United States, but they need the community’s help to get there.
Sunny and Joey were playing in a tournament, when they were approached by selectors to join the Aussie Roos team.
Their mother, Carolyn Rogers, said players were asked to register their interest beforehand.
“We did not register that interest because we knew we couldn’t afford for them to go,” she said.
“However, after that tournament, they were approached to say ‘we really would like you on the team’.”
The family has now started a Gofundme page, to help cover the costs of the children flying to America and participating in the tournament.
“They’re looking after a friend’s dog just to raise money, they’re doing everything they can,” Ms Rogers said.
“I’ve applied for all of the grants that I can think of.”
Ms Rogers said her son’s interest in hockey began when they found a box that contained her old rollerblades.
“He put them on and obviously they were adult size, he started mucking around as four-year-olds do and just happened to get quite good.”
The family took the kids to a roller skating rink nearby.
“After that, they loved it so much that they went back.”
The boys are excited at the prospect of traveling overseas, but Ms Rogers said they’re trying to contain it in case the trip doesn’t happen.
“If they don’t go, I don’t know how else to say it, they would be devastated.”
The hockey community has offered their “incredible” support to the family.
“I’ve got a good friend who’s going as the team manager and she said, ‘I’m going to look after your kids like they’re my own’,” Ms Rogers said.
“We really wanted to have at least one parent go with them but it’s just another $5000 we’ve got to find.”
Ms Rogers said the family, like many others, was hit hard by COVID-19.
“We’re just trying to recoup some of that money and survive really,” she said.
Details: https://gofund.me/4d46c1ad
