Long-time Kincumber Colts JRLFC registrar Nicola Oldfield was crunching the numbers on players as part of a 2021 season review.
Yes, the year had been truncated by the Covic-19 pandemic once again, but one startling fact remained - Erin Sheehy, only 15, had racked up 10 years straight playing for the Kincumber Colts.
She started with the Under 6s Blue team in 2012 and in 2021 was playing Under 15s Tag for the Colts and Tackle with nearby Erina Eagles (as Kincumber doesn’t have a tackle team yet).
“And I thought to myself, ‘That’s a really great achievement by Erin – maybe the first (NSW) Central Coast girl to do it,” Oldfield said.
“And she’s a really talented little footballer. She’s one of those girls that can tackle just as well and as strongly as the boys.
“Although she’s not a big frame she just gives it her all – she never backs down.”
One of Sheehy’s past coaches, Dave Rose, says her two older brothers Mitchell and Ryan ensured she grew up in a league-loving household.
“The game is definitely in her blood… she just loves it,” Rose said.
And by Sheehy’s list of team awards and points-scoring numbers over the past 10 years she’s a mighty fine player too.
“She’s a halfback with a lovely pass, good vision, great kicking game,” Rose said.
“Erin has all the attributes of a quality player and she’s got a toughness about her… but also a cheeky smile as well.”
Hopefully Sheehy stays in the sport and makes the move to Under 19s Tarsha Gale Cup with the Knights – being her closest club – followed by a career in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership and possibly the NRLW.
“There’s a pathway there for her and I think she’d love to be in that environment but there’s a couple of years to go,” Rose said.
“Those decisions are up to her but she’s very capable.”
ERIN SHEEHY’S COLTS CV
2012: Under 6s Blue – won ‘Best and Fairest’, scored 9 tries
2013: Under 7s Gold - scored 5 tries
2014: Under 8s Blue – scored 4 tries, 2 goals
2015: Under 9s Green – won ‘Most Consistent’ award; scored 2 tries , 5 goals
2016: Under 10s/3s – won ‘Team player’; scored 12 tries, 11 goals
2017: Under 11s/3s – won ‘Best and Fairest’; scored 13 tries, 13 goals
2018: Under 12s/3s – won ‘Team Player’; scored 76 points in total
2019: Colts Tag, won ‘Most Consistent’; scored 3 tries, 12 goals; Tackle (Fri night comp) won ‘Team Player’ award
2020: Colts Tag, won ‘Most Consistent’; Tackle with Erina Eagles (as Colts had no team)
2021: Colts Tag; Tackle with Erina Eagles
