My name is Asha Hickford. I am an inline speedskater and I will be the only Australian female athlete in my category to compete at this coming World Skate Games in Argentina. This will be my first Worlds and it has been my dream since I first began skating! I am the national junior ladies champion and have a number of international skating awards including a bronze recently for the Gross-Gerau sprint cup in Germany.

Covid and travel restrictions have impacted on competition for the last 2 years but I have been training very hard for this coming event: I have been training solidly 6 days a week for at least the last 6 years to be able to be selected to compete at Worlds. And I have recently competed in a number of races in the European in-line cup to improve my race readiness.

Few grant opportunities for the sport are available which means training, equipment and competing are largely self funded. The need to travel long distances from WA to compete also mean it is very expensive …so any donations you can make are truly appreciated! Can you help?