Three PLC Armidale teams are heading to Sydney to compete in the 2026 Independent Girls’ Schools Association finals, with the school’s junior and senior hockey sides and senior netball team qualifying.
The three teams travelled to Sydney on Wednesday ahead of the finals series at Sydney Olympic Park.
Their qualification is a significant result for PLC Armidale, one of the smaller schools competing in the IGSA competition, which includes many of Sydney’s largest independent girls’ schools.
The Junior Division One Hockey team will defend its 2025 championship, while the Senior Netball team is aiming to reclaim the grand final success it achieved in 2024.
PLC Armidale’s Senior School community farewelled the teams and college mascot Addy Astra, named after the school’s Ad Astra — “to the stars” — motto, with a traditional line of honour before their departure.
IGSA Sport’s graded competitions involve between 5,000 and 6,300 students from 32 member schools each term, with 28 of those schools based in Sydney.
The hockey competition attracts more than 110 teams and about 1,500 players.
PLC Armidale Head of Sport Lucy Donaldson said having three teams qualify reflected the skill, commitment and resilience of the school’s athletes.
“To have three of our four representative teams reach the IGSA finals is an outstanding achievement, particularly when we are usually competing against schools many times our size,” Donaldson said.
“Our girls continually demonstrate that success is not determined by the size of a school, but by preparation, teamwork, courage and the willingness to compete for one another.
“Our Junior Hockey team will proudly defend its title, our Senior Hockey team has earned its place among the competition’s best, and our Senior Netball team will draw confidence from its preparation and PLC Armidale’s history of success. We could not be prouder of all three teams.”
The finals campaign begins at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday afternoon.
Senior Hockey will face Abbotsleigh at 4.30pm on Homebush Field 2, Junior Hockey will play NEGS at 5.45pm on the Homebush Olympic Pitch and Senior Netball will meet Pymble at 5.15pm at Homebush Sports Hall.
Teams successful on Friday will progress to Saturday’s matches, with Junior Hockey scheduled for 8am, Senior Netball at 9am and Senior Hockey at 9.15am.
PLC Armidale’s Junior Hockey team defeated previously unbeaten Ascham to win the Division One grand final in 2025, following its local Under 16 Hockey New England premiership.
The Junior Hockey team also won the IGSA championship in 2023, while the school’s Junior and Senior Netball teams claimed championship flags in 2024.
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