Olympic glory for GB roller hockey goalie

By Acacia Redding and Andre Rhoden-Paul

A SCHOOLBOY has won a Junior Olympics medal, after a stellar performance at the Roller Hock- ey Junior Olympics and World Championships in Hawaii.

Toby Barr, 15, from Goring, took home a silver and bronze medal play- ing for Team GB as a goalkeeper over the summer holidays.

Roller hockey, similar to ice hockey, involves five-a-side teams including the goalie playing to shoot pucks into opposing nets and defending their own while wearing inline skates. Tensions were high at the AAU Junior Olympics in Kapolei, Hawaii, but Team GB pulled through and performed exceptionally well in the early stages, playing against teams from mainland USA, Hawaii and Colum- bia. Team GB was awarded a bronze medal by pulling out an 8-0 victory against Team Kahunas (Hawaii).

Toby’s success did not end there as the GB team played Australia, Colombia, Hawaii and USA South West in the World Championships and made their way to the final. Following a very close and exciting match, Toby won a silver medal after losing to USA West. The Shoreham College pupil was awarded “most valued player” by his coach during a game for not letting in a single goal.

Toby was the only net minder for Team GB over the two weeks, playing with stamina and focus throughout.

He said: “When I won my medals, I felt ecstatic. I remember feeling really upset when we didn’t get any medals two years ago so I was just so happy that we came in the top three and had something to take home.”

During his downtime, Toby vis- ited the Valley of the Temples on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu where he swam with turtles. He also spent a lot of time on the beach in Waikiki. In the run-up to the competitions Toby played twice a week at his local club, plus match days at weekends and once a month in Rotherham with the GB squad.

Toby plays for his local team, the Brighton Stormers at Southwick Lei- sure Centre, after taking up the sport at the age of eight and has played nationally and internationally since 2014.

He said: “For me, the best thing about hockey is being part of a team and getting to know so many people. I’ve become really good friends with them and enjoyed having fun.”

His mother Julie, who accompanied him on the trip, said: “I was very proud. He played really well, he was very mature.

“I was apprehensive for him before he went as he was the only goalkeeper going to Hawaii for Team GB so it put a lot of pressure on him. But I think all his team were very pleased with him and his performance.”

Sports-mad Toby starts his GCSEs this year and intends to continue playing roller hockey, though probably not at such a high level.