The annual Whit’s Cup of Courage hockey game brought sunshine, skill and spirit back to the field on Thursday 28 August, as PLC Sydney’s Senior Firsts faced off against a strong team of ex-students.
Thirteen players from graduating years 2009–2024 joined the Senior Firsts at Cintra Park for a thrilling and highly competitive match. The game showcased both the passion for hockey and the strong sense of connection to PLC Sydney that spans across generations.
This year’s game was particularly special, with Annabelle Roxburgh (Year 9), an Australian Representative player, taking the field. Annabelle joins an impressive list of PLC Sydney students and graduates who have gone on to represent Australia, including Kaitlin Nobbs (2015, dual Olympian), Litiana Field (2017, Australian Indoor), Teagan Neowhouse (2019, Australian Hockey 5s and Indoor), and Kendel Tait (2021, Australia U21). Their journeys highlight the pathways available for PLC Sydney students to excel both on and off the field.
The game itself was hard-fought. The ex-students struck first with a sharp set play before the Senior Firsts equalised just before half-time. Both sides pushed hard in attack and defence, but it was the Senior Firsts who broke through , securing their first-ever outright victory in the Whit’s Cup of Courage with a 3–1 win.
Whit’s Cup of Courage is more than a match, it is a celebration of the enduring PLC Sydney spirit . It reflects the strong connections between current students, ex-students and families, and the values that shape every girl’s journey here.
About Whit’s Cup of Courage
The game honours the memory of Whitney Lane (Class of 2010) , an integral member of the PLC Sydney hockey family. Diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia at age 11 and later with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH), Whitney showed extraordinary courage in campaigning for life-saving treatments to be made accessible for Australians. In 2010, at just 19 years of age, she successfully lobbied the Federal Government to include Soliris® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Whitney underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2012 and sadly passed away soon after, but her legacy of determination and advocacy continues to inspire our community.