From Barnsley to Team GB

Barnsley College student, Jacob Mansell, has been selected to represent Great Britian at the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) under-18 Ball Hockey World Championships, which take place in Slovakia this summer.

Commanding the back line, Jacob, is a Level 3 Sport and Physical Activity student who currently represents Rotherham Ducks Ball Hockey Club, where he trains to perfect his fitness, strength, agility and endurance.

His greatest achievement is representing GB for the first time in 2025, where he flew out to the Czech Republic with the U16s to compete in the World Championships and was honoured to captain the team through the competition.

This summer he’ll be travelling to Slovakia to compete in the ISBHF World Championships, facing top teams from across the world including USA, Canada, Hungary, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Jacob said: “I first picked up a hockey stick when I was six. Back then, it was field hockey. I played for local clubs and worked my way up to representing South Yorkshire at county level. I loved the sport and the team culture, but as I got older, I wanted something more physical, more intense.

“About three years ago, I made the move to ball hockey and I’ve never looked back. Ball hockey gave me two things I didn’t get in the same way in field hockey: the physical edge and the pace. It also gave me something even better, the chance to play alongside my dad, who also plays. Sharing the sport with him has made the journey even more meaningful.”

Mansell and his family are trying to raise money to allow him to take part as there is no formal funding for such players, and the cost would be about £1,200.

Jacob added: “Sponsorship is also fundamental, because international competition comes at a real cost. The total cost to compete at the ISBHF World Championships in Slovakia is around £2,000, covering flights, accommodation, kit and training expenses.

“I’m working as hard as I can to fund this, through my part-time job and by approaching local businesses for support. Every contribution helps me focus on training and represent Team GB at my very best.”

If you would like to help Jacob achieve his dream, please get in touch at: marketing@barnsley.ac.uk