Sport

PLC Celebrates 10 Consecutive Head of the River Wins

PLC’s success in rowing regattas is unmatched, winning ALL the past ten Head of The River (HOR) Regattas. It doesn’t feel like it for some, but it’s been a decade since PLC’s First Eight crew made history at the 2012 Head of the River (HOR) Regatta, taking out the title for the first time in Schoolgirls’ Rowing. In 2012, the crew of Elinor Scott (cox), Natasha Gay, Kate Mannolini, Rebecca Duke, Emily Mantle (Captain of Boats), Andie Sones, Jessamy Burton, Kailey Creeger and Ellen Kennedy won by four boat lengths in 7 min 3.70 sec, which saw PLC take out all four regattas in the lead-up to the Head of the River Regatta. Ten years later, head coach, David Milne and the 2022 First Eight Crew, again triumphed and won the Perpetual Trophy for Schoolgirl Premiers, marking PLC’s 10th consecutive HOR win. Director of Wellbeing and past Head of Rowing, Chonny James said the PLC Rowing programme has continued to intensify each year. “We have placed a strong emphasis on quality, not quantity. The dedication, commitment and ’striving for excellence’ from the PLC Rowing coaches is a credit to them,” Ms James said. “Drawing on David’s extensive coaching and rowing experience as well as all of the hard work put in by the 2022 crew, we are ecstatic to have brought home another win and be a part of this momentous piece of history.” Here’s to the 10 consecutive wins since PLC’s first Head of the River victory. 2022 First Eight crew; Kate Williams (Cox), Pippa Attwell (Stroke), Tilly Johnston (Seven), Libby Hutton (Six), Ellen Sinclair (Five), Brooke Poole (Four), Bella Van Ingen-Kal (Three), Chloe Fleay (Two) and Jaz Shervington (Bow).

David Milne Confirmed as Head of Rowing

PLC has long dominated Champion Lakes and the College is delighted that Mr David Milne (Milney) was confirmed as Head of Rowing and Elite Athlete and Culture Mentor earlier in Semester 2 this year. Milney’s love for rowing started as a schoolboy at Wesley College, before joining the West Australian Rowing Club (WARC) while he completed his Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). A successful rower in his own right, he won the Junior Coxless 4 in the WA State Championships, and in the following year came second in the (higher division) Open Coxless 4 in 1995, the same year he started coaching at the WARC and Wesley College. In 2002, he was recruited by the UWA’s Boat Club as Head Coach, before joining Perth College as Head Coach in 2005. In 2009, he joined the Western Australian Institute of Sport as Coach of the Junior and Under 23 Squads. Success in the Australian National Rowing Championships led to Milney being appointed by Rowing Australia to coach Australian junior crews in two World Championships; the first the Junior Men’s Coxless 4 in Lac du Causse Correzien, France in 2009, and then the Junior Mens Coxed 4 in Roundnice, Czech Republic. Both crews won bronze medals. Milney then joined Wesley as Director of Rowing in 2010, joining PLC as the coach of our Second Eight in 2011 before jumping completely as Head Coach at PLC in 2012. Since joining the College, PLC has secured 10 season wins on points, and nine Head of the River victories. Milney cites his proudest moments as his very first win as Head Coach (which was also PLC’s first ever win in Rowing), and the win in 2021 when sport was returning to normal post COVID-19, and many other schools had said loudly they thought that was the year they would take PLC’s rowing crown. A sweet victory indeed. All students who have been tempted to learn to row can attest to the strong culture at the shed for community, fun, co-operation and hard work, a culture now being extended to other sports. Milney’s new role includes the mentoring of PLC’s elite athletes, a role he has unofficially performed for many years. As he creates the programmes to include all students in sport as well as to nurture and support our elite athletes from Junior Elite competition to Senior Elite sport, PLC’s sporting future has never looked so bright.

PLC Basketball Reaches New Heights

PLC provides a community built on comradery and participation. The College facilitates peer support and opportunities where students can challenge themselves through participation and diligence. This ‘can do’ community value coincided with this semester experiencing the highest recorded number of students interested in co-curricular basketball across the PLC Junior School. This semester also saw the introduction of a full-term pre-season training programme for students ahead of their Term 3 matches. Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in participation numbers in Years 3 to 6 and Head of Sport, Mr Sam Maxwell, hopes this trend continues into next year and beyond. “It has been a very exciting surge in participation, and I would like to thank both the students and their families for their commitment to the programme,” Mr Maxwell said.

PLC Firebirds Claim Victory

The Year 6 Netball team, the PLC Firebirds, enjoyed an outstanding season this year in the Junior Perth Netball Association (PNA) Competition and came away with an inspiring win in the grand final. Across the months of April to September, Years 2 to 6 students were busy participating in the Perth Netball Association competition on a Friday afternoon and Saturday morning at Matthews Netball Centre. While every year group performed at their personal best throughout the season, it was the Year 6 PLC Firebirds who won the Winter Year 6 Junior Competition after superb team effort and a handful of outstanding individual performances. Students were able to display great sportswomanship, whilst honing their netball skills in a fun and competitive environment.

Izzy Secures Spot in Australian Youth Squad

Izzy Scott (Year 11) is no stranger to the world of sporting royalty. She is the daughter of former national champion and national representative rower, Rob Scott and Australian gold medallist in the 2000 Olympics for Water Polo, Liz Scott OAM. Izzy seems to be following in her parent’s footsteps having earned her place in the Australian Youth Women’s Squad following her exceptional performance at the 17U Female National State Championships on the Gold Coast earlier in the year. Izzy first started playing Water Polo by learning the basics when she was six years old. She was in her first team by eight and made her first state squad by 14. Now at 16, she is consolidating her position as goal keeper and is on the trajectory for sporting greatness in her chosen sport of Water Polo. Over the next 12 months, the Australian Youth Women’s Squad will come together for domestic training camps and international opportunities with the next training and selection camp flagged for January. Izzy has high aspirations for her Water Polo career and one day hopes to play for the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team, the Stingers.

Shining a Light on all Things Boarding

In May, PLC shone a spotlight on everything boarding as part of PLC’s annual National Boarding Week celebrations. In recognising the fantastic efforts and commitment from all PLC’s boarders, boarding families, and boarding staff, the College kicked off the week with the annual Boarders vs Day Students’ Tug-o-War. Across the week, students also participated in a high-spirited ‘Race to School’, joined in some fun quizzes, competed in the annual Year 12 PLC vs Scotch Netball game, and involved themselves in a lively volleyball game. “It was so great to see both boarding and day students enjoy the fun activities and celebrate National Boarding Week together,” Director of Boarding, Ms Susie Edwards said.

Dynamic Duos at Boarders’ Ball

On Saturday 6 August, the Year 11 and 12 boarders from PLC Perth and Scotch College celebrated reaching their Senior Boarder milestone with a Boarders’ Ball. With a ‘Dynamic Duos’ theme, students attended the ball in some very creative costumes. Students spent the memorable evening enjoying fantastic food and dancing the night away while capturing special moments using the photo booth.

New Tradition Honours Year 12 Boarders

A new tradition recognising the special community PLC’s Senior Boarders share was established at the conclusion of the Year 11 Quay2Quay in 2021. In symbolising their strong connections, this year, for the first time, all Year 12 boarders received ‘Boarder Badges’ to wear with their blazers. Deputy Senior Boarder, Olivia Ellis (Year 12), said the idea was instigated by her boarding cohort and has made connections within the boarding house even more special. “It is an admirable celebration and one which I think will remind me of all the very special memories I’ve shared with my boarding community,” Olivia said. “My boarding peers have been a large part of my life, and these badges help to symbolise the forever friendships we have formed.” Olivia said wearing these badges on their blazers has also helped nurture the Senior Boarders’ connections within the day school.