Liv Sproule Memorial Round 2026

The Premier League Hockey season will resume this weekend following the Easter break with a significant themed round, the Livinia Sproule Memorial Round.

The round was initiated in 2021 by DiamondBacks and Tassie Tigers star Phillida Bridley and has since become a staple of the Tasmanian hockey calendar. It has received strong support from the hockey community and, through ongoing fundraising efforts, has raised more than $35,000 to date.

Bridley established the event to honour her former state junior teammate and close friend. Since then, it has continued to grow each year, raising vital funds for Rare Cancers Australia. She said she hopes Livinia would be proud of the way the hockey community has embraced the round.

"I hope that she would be really proud of the money we are raising for rare cancers, and supporting other patients and families who are going through hard times. Hopefully she would look down on us and say that it's great to remember all the friendships you make with this sport, and to go out there and have a go and have fun." 

In addition to its fundraising efforts, Bridley said the round highlights the strong sense of community within the sport.

"This round really reiterates the importance of friendship and camaraderie around sport, helping remind people how important it is and the friendships you make with it."

This year’s fundraising activities will include the sale of wristbands, raffle tickets, silent auctions, and a BBQ/bake sale. Funds raised from the Livinia Sproule Memorial Round raffle will go directly to Rare Cancers Australia, supporting individuals and families affected by rare cancers.

Supporters can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win great prizes or donate directly via the links below:

Raffle Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/mwejxp5s
Donate: https://give.rarecancers.org.au/liv-sproule-memorial...?

The match of the round will see Bridley’s DiamondBacks side taking on OHA, from 1:15 pm. The two-time defending Premier DiamondBacks suffered a rare loss in Round 2, losing to North West Graduates 1-0 in a rematch of 2025’s Grand Final, and they will face another stern test this weekend against an OHA team that has convincingly won their first 2 matches of the season. The Ships, along with NWG, loom as one of the biggest threats to hopes of a DiamondBacks threepeat and the game shapes as their first chance to test themselves against one of the premier sides in the competition.

Should OHA slip up, NWG will look to move top by maintaining their winning start to the season as they take on Derwent, who are coming off an improved showing in their last outing against Canterbury after being outgunned on the opening day by a rampaging DiamondBacks. The Lions will be hoping to string wins together, but face a challenge against a University side that has performed well without taking any points from their opening two games in the final game of the day. 

The Livinia Sproule Perpetual Award will be presented to the player deemed the most courageous and resilient across the three Women’s Premier League matches this weekend. Previous winners of the  Award award are as follows:

2021 – Cami Vaughn
2022 – Maddy Murphy
2023 – Emma O’Grady
2024 – Harriet Sproule
2025 – Lucy McMullen

In the Men's competition,  DiamondBacks will be looking to bounce back from a Round 2 setback as they take on OHA in the first match of the day. Last time out, the Ships put in a quality performance against competition heavyweights University for the first three quarters, before being overrun in the last and will be hoping to maintain their level for the full match this time around.

University have been in blistering out of the gates this season, leaving no doubts around their status as the team to beat in season 2026 and Canterbury will need to lift to challenge them after falling to Derwent in their last match before the Easter Break.

The break probably came at a bad time for Derwent who would've been keen to continue their momentum after their 2-0 victory, but they face a tougher task this weekend against NWG who were sharp in their 3-1 victory over DiamondBacks.