Sport
PLC Sydney is proud to be part of the movement, proving that AFL isn't just a boys' club anymore! AFL was introduced in our Junior School in 2019. After a successful trial, we are now extending the fun to our Senior students. PLC Sydney are members of SportsTG Independent Girls Competition.
PLC Sydney provides Athletics training sessions for students from Years 3-12. These sessions cater for beginner athletes through to advanced level athletes in both track and field events. Training is conducted at Sydney Olympic Park.
The PLC Sydney Junior and Senior Athletics Carnivals are held in Term 2 each year. From these carnivals, students are selected to compete at the IPSHA and IGSA Athletics Twilight meetings and main carnival. Further pathway opportunities are then provided through NSW CIS, NSW All Schools, and the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships to successful students.
PLC Sydney athletes are also encouraged to compete in Athletics NSW events held throughout each year.
Badminton is a fun and rapidly growing sport in New South Wales.
PLC Sydney Senior School students have the opportunity to compete in the Harden Classic Competition, Loreto Normanhurst Badminton Competition and the Meriden Competition.
The Harden Classic is named after our Head of Sport, Ms Belinda Harden, who started Badminton at PLC Sydney back in 2009. This is a PLC Sydney only competition that sees our Year 7, Junior and Senior Badminton players play off against each other to find their Champion. All those who sign up for Badminton in that particular year are required to take part.
The Loreto Normanhurst Badminton Competition is our main competition held in Term 1 and played across the Sydney region - more information below. We regularly enter 20+ teams into this competition.
The Meriden Competition is our newest competition that is played locally during Term 3. This competition started back in 2019 and is offered to those students who played in Term 1, and Year 5/6 students who can demonstrate previous experience in Badminton.
Basketball is part of the IGSSA competition and focuses on the mental and physical aspects of the game with an impressive never-give-up attitude. As with all PLC Sydney sports, any girl-regardless of previous experience-is invited tryout for a team. The coaches focus on individual skill improvement as well as teaching overall game strategy and specific plays.
PLC Sydney provides Cross Country training sessions for its students and caters for beginners through to advanced level runners during school term time. Training sessions are at local parks or Sydney Olympic Park on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon alongside the Athletics training sessions.
The PLC Sydney Junior and Senior Cross Country Carnivals are in Term 1. From this, students are selected to compete in IPSHA and IGSA Cross Country Carnivals. Further pathway events through the NSW CIS, NSW All Schools and Australian All Schools Cross Country Championships are then provided to successful students.
PLC Sydney Cross Country runners are also encouraged to compete in Athletics NSW Cross Country events and the CAS/GPS Schools Cross Country series held throughout Sydney each year.
Find out more about Cross Country sessions at PLC Sydney below.
PLC Sydney provides dive lessons to PLC Sydney and external students and caters for beginners through to advanced divers during school term time. Classes are held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
PLC Sydney Diving Club is affiliated with NSW Diving and Diving Australia. Divers may register as recreational or competitive divers enabling sanctioned competition at regional, state, national, and international level.
All Senior School students wanting to improve their fitness or learn more about health and fitness are encouraged to visit the Fitness Centre. Different programs are offered during the various opening hours and students should check the weights room notice board for details. The Fitness Centre Manager and Director of Strength and Conditioning, John Yap, will be able to advise you on injury prevention, exercise prescription and programming to help minimize the risk of injury and to improve on field athletic performance with his background in Exercise Science.
PLC Sydney offers an IPSHA Football season for Junior School students. Senior School students are provided the opportunity to compete in the IGSA Football season.
Throughout terms 1-3, PLC Sydney also participates in the NSW Combined Independent Schools Football Cup which is a knockout tournament for the top 16 players within the Senior School (Years 7-12).
Find out more about Football at PLC Sydney below.
Aerobic Gymnastics is the perfect sport for active people with energy to burn. It involves performing high intensity movement patterns to heart pounding music; you can perform by yourself or in pairs, trios and groups. It is an action packed, dynamic sport that is fast-paced and great for developing coordination and strength.
The PLC Sydney program is now in its sixth year. Our program has recreational and competitive classes starting from the age of 6, and is based on excellent coaching, friendships and teamwork between gymnasts.
The club counts several prizes thanks to great results in each competition season, this year we started getting the NSW Aerobic Gymnastics Club champion, and we are hoping to finish the season with the National title.
Our gymnasts excel under a group of dedicated and highly experienced coaches whose expertise allow the students to participate in a safe and nurturing environment.
PLC Sydney provides a holistic training program for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. The artistic training schedule accommodates all apparatus, including floor, uneven bars, balance beam and vault. The program offers training for recreational, kindy gym and elite gymnasts to perfect their skills.
Junior School Program
Our recreational programs aim to introduce girls to the fun and movement of Gymnastics. The focus is on developing confidence and body awareness.
Students progress from this class to foundation (level 1 and 2) or then through to our competitive programs. These programs are designed for girls with an interest in Artistic Gymnastics.
Talented athletes will be identified during the classes and offered more intensive lessons. These gymnasts may have the opportunity to represent PLC Sydney on the IPSHA team.
Senior School Program
Senior School students can elect to participate in the Senior Gymnastics program which is designed for girls who
wish to:
- try Gymnastics
- maintain their strength and flexibility
- participate in the National Level Program that caters for the elite and competitive level gymnasts
Talented athletes will be identified during the levels program for inclusion in the PLC Sydney IGSSA representative team.
The PLC Sydney Rhythmic Gymnastics program is run by the Le Ray Gymnastics Centre team, headed by Sydney 2000 Olympian, Danielle Le Ray. The PLC Sydney Rhythmic program offers training for gymnasts of all levels, from Recreational to Elite. Opened in 2015, LRG PLC Sydney has quickly proven itself to be a thriving Rhythmic Gymnastics environment. Within its first year of operation, the centre produced State Champions and developed National and International representatives.
The girls field hockey team has a long tradition of success, both on and off the field. Experienced players as well as those new to the sport are welcome to join this hard-working team to improve their endurance, skills and knowledge of the game.
PLC Sydney participates in both ipsha and IGSSA competitions.
Years 3–5 play Minkey, a 6-a-side game played on one-quarter of a full-size hockey field. Years 3 and 4 Minkey players are permitted to push the ball only. A backswing is not permitted and the stick should not follow through above knee height. Year 5 Minkey players are permitted to use a controlled slap hit. Players may use a knee-high backswing and knee-high follow through. Any stick raised above knee-height is deemed dangerous play and a penalty push should be awarded to the other team. Year 6 students play Super 8 Hockey, an 8-a-side (7 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper) game played on one half of a full-size hockey field.
PLC Sydney has a strong history of participation in both the IPSHA (Junior School) and IGSA (Senior School) Netball competitions.
Both programs welcome experienced club & representative players through to players new to the sport and looking to try something new! In recent years, the senior school program has seen the introduction of both competitive and recreational teams for senior players wanting to continue with their Netball throughout their final years of school.
Rowing is a unique sport offered to students at PLC Sydney. The rowing program is well structured and highly organised, providing all students who want to row with the opportunity to experience this unique and amazing sport in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Girls and families involved in rowing regularly remark on its strong team spirit and sense of camaraderie. Students learn many valuable life skills from their involvement in rowing, such as, time management, leadership and goal setting skills, that are easily transferable to their academic success.
Rowing is a whole body fitness and strength sport that is low impact. Over the rowing season, students will become the fittest and strongest they have even been and have the rare opportunity to realise potential in themselves that they never knew was there. Students will be enjoying exercise whilst surrounded by Sydney's beautiful harbour and bays.
PLC Sydney participates in the NSW Interschool Snowsports championships which span across regional, state and national competitions. These events are open to students from Years K–12 who are at an intermediate standard or better (for clarification on standards visit the Perisher or Thredbo websites).
The events are usually held at either Thredbo or Perisher ski resorts and alternate on a yearly basis. PLC Sydney compete within the Sydney region for the first round of competitions. The dates for this week always fall within the last week of the independent school holidays.
Families are responsible for their own accommodation throughout these weeks, PLC Sydney will assist with event management and competitor entries. Training camps are offered throughout the first week of the independent school holidays for all members of the PLC Sydney Snowsports Team.
PLC Sydney also offers a Term 3 Winter School to students who are enrolled in full time training programs.
If you love to hit balls and/or can throw and catch a ball then this is a great sport to get involved with. No experience is needed only a willingness to learn and improve - our experienced coaches will help guide you.
Just short of 100 girls from Years 7 - 12 made up our 9 Softball teams in 2021.
Once again, our Year 7's were a standout in the 7A and 7C divisions.
Our Junior A's, in the top Junior division, have been impressive for the past couple of years. While in 2020 they just fell short of a top 4 finish with covid closing the season, in 2021 they were competing for the top prize only to find a washed-out semi-final ended the season with them in third spot.
2021 saw our Senior 1's moved back out of the top S01 division. This new team had an enjoyable season finishing just outside the top 4.
PLC Sydney offers swim sessions for fitness through to competitive squads, competing from club to National level.
Senior Squad are fitness based sessions that are non-competitive.
Competitive Squads offer a range of different levels. Entry into a competitive squad is allocated based on an assessment and consultation with the Head Coach. The squads include a metro, state or national level squad.
All girls in a competitive squad are encouraged to join and swim for PLC Sydney Swim Club.
At PLC Sydney we provide tennis coaching and development for all students, from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Our experienced staff create personalised programs and flexible training options for all level players, while ensuring that their on court experience is both enjoyable and challenging.
PLC Sydney's Tennis programs include:
- Tennis Australia Hotshots - a modified skills and games program that caters for the developmental level of players of all ages. It uses low compression balls, smaller racquets, and modified courts and rules, and better prepares players for learning, playing, and enjoying our great game.
- Performance Squads - designed to service the needs of our leading and aspiring players. The program will incorporate technical, tactical, and physical preparation, and supplement private lessons with your coach.
- Tournament Support - a service that assists players as they start the journey in external competitions and tournament play. PLC will take part in a number of competitive experiences, both in-season, and in the off-season. Support is offered to players who take part in competitions from Hotshots Leagues, all the way up to Tennis Australia national tournaments.
PLC Sydney offers an IPSHA Touch Football season for Junior School students. Senior School students are provided the opportunity to compete in the IGSA Touch Football season.
PLC Sydney has a long tradition of success in Touch Football with regional and state level representatives guided by coaches with international experience. Experienced players and those new to this sport are welcome to sign up and get involved in this dynamic sport.
PLC Sydney offers girls in Senior School the opportunity to participate in the NSW All Schools individual and teams competitions each year at Penrith International Regatta Centre.
The team's competition comprises of 1 swimmer, 1 cyclist and 1 runner.
Following the individual event at the NSW All Schools, triathletes who finish in the top 6 places per division are provided with a further pathway through to the School Sport Australia Triathlon Championships each year.
PLC Sydney has spent many years taking part in the Santa Sabina Volleyball Competition in Term 4. The sport offers an opportunity for both experienced, and first-time players to take part. The Volleyball culture is the perfect balance of competitiveness, teamwork as well as a social element. All the Saturday games are played at Santa Sabina College for the 7 consecutive weeks, plus finals.
Teams are selected during Term 3 when trials are held. The teams are selected in year groups; Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 & Opens (Year 11/12). This also provides an opportunity for students to play with their friends and have an enjoyable experience of playing Volleyball. Ready .. Set .. Spike!
PLC Sydney offers students three Water Polo competitions to participate in: IPSHA, IGSA and the UNSW Invitational.
Little Ducks is our sports program for Year 1 students. Students will be given the opportunity to improve their throwing and catching skills incorporating games and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment.
- Term 2: Movement Skills
- Term 3: Manipulative Skills
- Term 4: Team Games
Little Chicks is our Friday afternoon sports program for Year 2. Emphasis is on enjoyment and participation of all students as well as skill and game development.
Girls will have the opportunity to improve their throwing and catching skills incorporating games and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment.
- Term 1: Introduction to AFL
- Term 2: Introduction to Touch Football/Tennis
- Term 3: Introduction to Netball/Basketball//Ball Skills
- Term 4: Introduction to Football