The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has formally recognised Pymble Ladies’ College as an Australian Olympic Pathway School, marking a significant milestone as the first independent school to receive this designation.
Pymble Ladies’ College joins the seven NSW Sports High Schools as an Australian Olympic Pathway School providing students with access to high quality Olympic sports training environments while supporting their academic and wellbeing needs.
The school received the special designation at a ceremony today attended by Chief Executive of the Office of Sport Karen Jones, AOC CEO Matt Carroll, Olympians Lauren Jackson and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, and Olympic alumni from the school Mackenzie Little, Chloe Dalton, Danielle Scott and Brittany O’Brien.
AOC CEO Matt Carroll welcomed today’s announcement.
“Congratulations to Pymble Ladies’ College on your recognition as an Australian Olympic Pathway school,” Mr Carroll said.
“Pymble Ladies’ College has a proud Olympic history producing eight Olympians over several decades. With Brisbane 2032 just over eight years away, today’s students will be striving to represent Australia at a home Games.
“The key to sporting excellence and academic success is to provide an environment where both can flourish. Pymble Ladies’ College has achieved that balance. Sport and academic success go together,” Mr Carroll continued.
“Pymble Ladies’ College has done a fantastic job in developing an extraordinary sports program, with twenty Olympic sports available to students, and we look forward to providing more opportunities for Pymble’s student athletes through to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
Olympian and Pymble Ladies’ College alumni Mackenzie Little said its pivotal for a school to support athletes in both their academic and sporting endeavours.
“Pymble is very well deserving of this recognition,” Mackenzie said.
“They already have phenomenal structures in place so I think being announced as an Australian Olympic Pathway School is a recognition of everything they have already done, just as much as it is about moving forward into the future and what they can do for athletes coming through.
“As a student, it is really important for you to have the opportunity to have athletics, academics and all of the co-curriculars that you can at school and have your teachers be supportive of your training and be mindful of the whole athlete and person.
“That is something Pymble does really well,” Mackenzie concluded.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal of Pymble Ladies’ College, said the achievement was inspired by the voices of students, their sense of purpose, and their determination.
“Pymble students are pioneers – they are future-focused girls and young women who develop the hearts, minds and skillsets to positively impact the world in whichever field they choose. By providing world-class coaches, facilities and holistic support, the College offers this pathway for our young athletes and sportswomen who dream big and work hard to achieve success on a global stage.
“As we say to our girls, if you dream it, you can do it at Pymble,” Dr Hadwen said.
To be recognised as an Australian Olympic Pathway School, a school must meet strict criteria set by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and have a well-established elite athlete development sport program that includes Olympic Sports.
Pymble Ladies’ College Olympian Alumni
- Liane Tooth – Hockey
- Edwina Tops-Alexander – Equestrian
- Tess Gerrand – Rowing
- Chloe Dalton – Rugby 7s
- Geneveive Horton – Rowing
- Mackenzie Little – Athletics
- Brittany O’Brien – Diving
- Danielle Scott – Freestyle Skiing
