Julie-Anne Sheehan is set to become the third woman in the history of the Footscray Hockey Club to reach the magical 500-game mark.
Sheehan took the unconventional route, not unwrapping a hockey stick under the Christmas tree as a primary schooler, nor wielding one for her high school team as a teen.
Heck, she hadn’t even seen a hockey game live before her 20s.
It was not until she met then boyfriend and now husband Brendan that she stumbled upon a sport that would become her passion.
“I didn’t have much of a sporting back- ground,” Sheehan said.
“Brendan didn’t play until he was an adult either … [and that] was only because his little brother was playing.
“He and I ended up becoming life members at the club.”
Sheehan is exactly the type of person the Bulldogs want involved in their club.
She might not be blessed with eye-catching stick skills, but she makes up for it with her fierce desire to compete.
“I’ve prided myself on endeavour rather than skill,” she said.
Sheehan is more than just a player; the 57-year-old is a club life member, former captain, committee member, junior coach and now a state representative.
The club has a thriving junior set-up and its men’s and women’s teams feature in the Hockey Victoria premier league.
Equally important to the club is its masters teams.
The Bulldogs encourage first timers, no matter what age, to pick up a stick and have a go – just as Sheehan did in her 20s.
“I was just a kid who had a dancing background but liked running and hadn’t really played any team sports,” the primary school teacher said.
“That’s the beauty of hockey as a sport; it’s never too late to start.
“In my case, I was watching a boyfriend who became a husband play, then someone said, ‘Do you want to have a run?’
“Of course, it was all foreign to me, with no background into the sport as a kid … I hadn’t even seen a hockey game.”
Sheehan’s highlight has been getting the chance to play alongside her daughter, Ally, in a premiership win. Both mother and daughter scored a goal in that grand final.
“Premierships were highlights – I’ve played in quite a few over the years,” Sheehan said. “The one that stood out was a winning premiership with my daughter – that was a great thrill.” Sheehan could not have envisaged her career would lead to Victorian representation.
That call-up came in the masters at the ripe age of 56.
“It was very exciting getting a Big V singlet and shirt, and a Victorian tracksuit,” she said. “It proves that you’re never too old!”
Sheehan will play her 500th game in the Footscray masters side against Toorak-East Malvern at the Footscray Hockey Centre on Wednesday from 9pm.
