Celebration of Sport

2024 Senior School

Award Recipients

Reeve Cup Elsie Wake

Lawton Trophy Lilly Higgins

Youman Shield Poppy McLaren

Tom Award Holly Sheedy

Mullen Award Natasha North

Equestrian Shield Lillian Meredith

Student Coach of the Year Ella Jenkins

Spirit in Sport Sophie Young

Most Improved Team of the Year PLC 4 Wildcats Netball Team

Junior Team of the Year- Sisson Shield PLC Junior Representative Netball Team

Senior Team of the Year PLC Senior Representative Netball Team

Year 7 Rookie Award Emma Birnie

Supporters Award Yvette Ballard

Service to Sport Natalie Meredith

Athletics & Cross Country Cup Olive McFarlane

Years 7-9 Sportsmanship Award Lily Donaldson

Years 10-12 Sportsmanship Award Georgia Whibley

Junior Sports Shield Evie Matthews

Senior Sports Shield Bridie O'Neill

Junior Sportsperson of the Year Trista Dorrian and Lillian Meredith

Senior Sportsperson of the Year Stephanie Blake

Most Outstanding Individual Sporting Achievement Sophie Bailey

"One of Nicola Olyslagers' most recognised habits is jotting down notes in her notebook between jumps. Coincidentally, I too keep a notebook—though its contents are less athletic! My notebook holds everything from funny moments, memorable events, and sports results to inspirational quotes and, of course, meticulously written ‘to-do’ lists with checkboxes. While my notebook may differ from yours, Nicola, I share the belief that writing things down brings a sense of satisfaction, clarity, and confidence. This little book accompanies me everywhere— tucked in my handbag, well-travelled, and dare I say, almost more important than my phone! It was referred to on numerous occasions to write tonights speech.

Earlier this year, one of my students approached me with a suggestion that sparked my interest. She said, "Mrs Donaldson, I know you're busy, and it’s still early in the year, but have you organised a guest speaker for the sports dinner yet?" It was March, and I replied, "Not quite yet, why do you ask?" She continued, "I met Nicola Olyslagers at Nationals. She was so lovely and inspirational. I think she’d be perfect for our sports dinner." I thought it was a great idea, so I did some quick research, found Nicola’s contact page, and sent an enquiry—knowing how packed elite athletes' schedules are, especially given our regional location. Time passed, and I’d almost forgotten about it until I heard Nicola’s name mentioned in chapel. That was the push I needed to follow up, and to my delight, I received a reply not long after saying that Nicola would be thrilled to join us as our guest speaker. I was absolutely over the moon!

At PLC, we aim to inspire our students, but often, it’s the students who inspire us. So many of the things we do here are driven by their enthusiasm and ideas. Nicola, we are absolutely thrilled to have you here tonight, and we thank you for making the journey to Armidale to help us celebrate what has been a remarkable year of sport at PLC and thank you Steph (who unfortunately couldn’t be here tonight) for being on the ball and organising me to get onto this early enough in the year to secure Nicola. As we say - everything is possible if you try.

The sports community at PLC has thrived in 2024, and beyond success, the sportsmanship displayed by our girls is truly inspiring. Just the other day at a touch football match, a young referee came over to thank me for the girls’ kindness and respect on the field—she even contrasted it with the behaviour of the "other" team, who shall remain nameless! Our girls embody a love for sport that goes beyond the scoreboard. Whether we win 2-0, 24-20, or lose 19-0, they walk off the field smiling, laughing, and already looking forward to the next game. Gracious in defeat, resilient to unsportsmanlike behaviour (and the occasional name-calling), they remain unshaken by the attitude of opposing teams. This reflects their strength of character and the values they carry onto every field and court.

At PLC, sport is also a vital bridge for connection. When new girls join, they’re often taken aback when I ask them what sport they’d like to try. The wide-eyed look of disbelief—“Did a teacher just talk to me like a normal person?”—is priceless! But before long, these girls are chatting away, signing up for teams, and fully immersing themselves in our thriving sports community. The relationships we build here—both between students and with teachers—are second to none.

There are also the girls who arrive at PLC determined never to take part in sport. Often, they carry the weight of negative past experiences or the belief that sport is only for the “talented.” Watching these students transform is one of the greatest joys of my job. Take one of our Year 10 students who once swore she’d never be caught playing a sport. She thought she was too uncoordinated and not good enough. Now, she is involved in not one, but two sports. Seeing her have fun, gain confidence, and find her place on a team has been truly priceless. Moments like that remind us why we do what we do.

It’s certainly been a year to remember, with countless highlights—many of which, of course, are written down in my trusty notebook! The IGSA trips stand out as one of the most memorable, filled with team bonding at Coogee Beach, training sessions with the Sydney Swifts netball players, braving ice baths, sharing hotel rooms with friends, and enjoying those incredible buffet breakfasts.

The Tildesley tennis trip also provided its share of unforgettable moments—like trekking back to retrieve the Frank Green water bottle (Trista, I’m looking at you), impromptu karaoke on the mini bus, and the moment we realised—halfway through the trip—that the mini bus had air conditioning. Better late than never!

Then, of course, there was the unexpected: planning for 19 girls at touch football and ending up with 29. A logistical challenge, but a happy one! And who could forget the trumpet serenading us from the sidelines of the netball and hockey games or the handmade signs cheering our teams on?

But beyond the fun and laughter, it’s the camaraderie that truly stands out. Time and again, the girls have shown their unwavering support for one another—filling in when teams are short, cheering each other on, and embodying the true spirit of PLC sport. These moments remind us why sport is such an integral part of our school culture.

We continue to see fantastic participation in sport across the college, with an impressive range of activities catering to nearly everyone!

Tonight, as we celebrate the achievements of PLC sport, we’ll be acknowledging both award recipients and the incredible effort of every student. Whether you’re taking home a trophy or not, you should all be proud of your accomplishments this year.

Some highlights from 2024 include:

The U14s girls’ rugby team—five of the eight players from PLC—winning the Rugby 7’s Gala Day in Armidale.

Evie Matthews and Izzy Macrae being selected for the NSW Waratah U14’s South Western Academy Development Squad and the Central North Rugby Union team for the U14s State Championships.

Mia Montgomery joining the Manly Sea Eagles’ 2025 Tarsha Gale U19s summer squad, starting pre-season training in Sydney right after finishing her last HSC exam.

Molly Chard reaching the finals in both the 100m and 200m at the IGSA Athletics Carnival.

Many PLC girls earning places in local and regional representative teams for hockey, netball, and rugby.

Elise Tisserand’s success at the State Gymnastics Championships.

Six PLC nominations at the Armidale Sports Awards, recognising both individuals and teams.

These achievements reflect the dedication, hard work, and passion of our students, and we couldn’t be prouder!

Tonight, I want to remind you to always look for the positives—it’s too easy to focus on the negatives (as I was recently reminded in what my daughter might describe as one of my “mum rants”). We are incredibly fortunate to have the opportunities we do, and it’s important to appreciate them. Some experiences will fill your cup, while others might not, but both contribute to your growth. Keep stepping outside of your comfort zones and embracing challenges as you continue to grow into the remarkable individuals you are destined to become. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of such a supportive community and to work with girls who make every day rewarding.

Thank you, Greg Cotterell, for your invaluable contribution and support in coordinating sport this year alongside me, particularly in netball, futsal, and rugby. Your dedication, along with your kindness and care towards me, has been appreciated

Although not here tonight, a huge thanks must also go to the incredible coaches of PLC Armidale who work tirelessly to train and support the girls.

Georgia, you’ve done an outstanding job as Sports Prefect this year. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you. Your enthusiasm, reliability, and dedication to sport have been remarkable. Thank you for your consistent contribution to sport at PLC—not only this year but over the six years you’ve been a student here. Your Monday morning assembly announcements, auctioneering at last year’s Sports Dinner, and whip cracking will be remembered fondly. Keep giving everything a “red hot go.” You will be missed.

Congratulations to Bridie O’Neill, our newly appointed Sports Prefect for 2025. We’re confident that your deep passion and enthusiasm for sports will guide our College to even greater success in the year ahead. You’ve already hit the ground running with new ideas, and I’m looking forward to working alongside you to bring them to life in 2025.

A huge thank you to our parents, carers, and families for your unwavering support of sports throughout the year. Your commitment, enthusiasm, and cheering from the sidelines mean the world to us and do not go unnoticed. We are so grateful for your dedication.

Thank you, Mrs Taylor, for your support and encouragement you have shown me throughout this year. You graciously receive my somewhat random text messages at all hours as I operate on the principle of “send it now or I’ll forget.” Your genuine care, openness to new ideas, and willingness to lend an ear—whether for my thoughts, ideas, or occasional frustrations—are truly appreciated.

Finally, thank you to our exceptional PLC students. You’ve been amazing ambassadors for the College, and your contribution has made 2024 a year to remember. From the laughter-filled IGSA trips to Sydney to the joy as you gear up for games, to seeing new students embrace sport and form friendships—every moment reflects the spirit of PLC. The consistent feedback from others about our girls being fair, gracious, and displaying true sportsmanship is a testament to the values you bring both on and off the field. It’s been a privilege to witness your achievements and share in these unforgettable moments with you.

Congratulations on a fantastic 2024, and I look forward to seeing what 2025 brings!