Tambellup-raised Hockeyroo Penny Squibb inspires children during multisport carnival for Albany schools

Hockeyroos star and Tambellup product Penny Squibb made a welcomed trip to the Great Southern this week, inspiring the next generation of young sporting stars. Squibb has made 48 appearances and scored five goals for Australia and is fresh off being part of the winning Oceania Cup team that qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The 30-year-old defender was in Broomehill earlier this week and on Wednesday was in Albany as part of a primary school sports day. Great Southern Grammar, St Joseph’s College, Bethel Christian School and Parklands School participated in the multisport carnival involving football, hockey, basketball and soccer. CSBP Fertilisers in partnership with Hockey WA helped bring Squibb to the region, to assist with running the hockey side of the event. The Year 2-6 students who took part were able to learn about Squibb’s journey from the farm to becoming an international medallist at major hockey tournaments. Squibb said that growing up in the small town of Tambellup, she learned how to push through challenges to reach her goals. “I want to show kids from the regions that there is a pathway to elite sports and they can achieve anything,” she said. “I went from living in the country where you might meet an Australian athlete every couple of years when they come to town, to training with them every week.” The multisport carnival was aimed at promoting children playing sport and gave them the opportunity to have a crack at sports outside what they would usually participate in. Squibb has become a key part of the Hockeyroos defensive unit since making her debut in 2018. She won a silver medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games along with a bronze at the 2022 World Cup.