PLC Armidale’s representative Junior Hockey Team has achieved a remarkable victory, winning the Division One Grand Final in the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) competition in Sydney. The IGSA competition attracts more than 110 teams and 1,500 players, with many participating schools more than eight times the size of PLC Armidale.
On a very warm day in Sydney on Saturday, PLC Armidale rose to the challenge. A brilliant first-half goal from Lily Donaldson gave the team early momentum, and a strong, determined defence held their lead for the remainder of the match. The result was even more significant as PLC Armidale defeated Ascham, who had been undefeated throughout the season.
The advantage of being part of an all-girls College from PreK to Year 12 was evident in the team’s play, with a large proportion of players having already built strong combinations over several years—despite the team being a Junior-Senior squad.
The team’s achievement was recognised during the official presentations by IGSA Sport Director Matthew Mulroney, who commended PLC Armidale for its commitment to travelling to Sydney and competing in multiple matches over 24 hours.
Head of Sport, Mrs Lucy Donaldson, described the victory as historic on the back of a local win in the weeks prior.
“In my time at PLC Armidale, I can’t recall a team winning both the local Under 16 Hockey New England Grand Final and the IGSA Grand Final in the same season,” she said.
“To come up against schools many times our size in IGSA and come out on top is truly outstanding.”
This win continues PLC Armidale’s strong record of success on the IGSA stage. In 2024, both the senior and junior netball teams claimed their grand finals, with the seniors defeating SCEGGS and the juniors defeating Danebank. In 2023, PLC Armidale’s junior representative hockey team became IGSA champions after an emphatic grand final victory over Loreto Normanhurst—an achievement made all the more significant given the competition involves over 32 independent girls’ schools across NSW.
This triumph in 2025, alongside PLC Armidale’s track record of championship wins, marks a proud moment in the College’s sporting history and highlights the talent, grit, and teamwork of its young athletes.
Closer to home on Sunday, the College also celebrated a 2025 Championship win by its Reserve Grade Football team in the 2025 Armidale Women’s Premier competition and the Tennis success of Year 10 student Trista Dorrian, who was declared the Northwest region U16s Champion of Champions in Tamworth for the second year running.
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