Erin Shaw

BIOGRAPHY

Teenager Erin Shaw has had a whirlwind last 12 months.

In 2022, a year when she was sitting her HSC year, Erin started well with early season clearances of 1.82m, then 1.83m. But then she had two major setbacks.
“Four weeks before nationals I broke my wrist and two weeks out, I badly rolled my ankle making the lead up rough, but I was still able to finish with a win, and automatic selection into the World U20 team.”
In June 2022, Erin continued her progression, clearing 1.85m at the Oceania Championships.

At the World U20 Championships in Cali in August, she was brilliant placing fourth with a leap of 1.88m. It was the highest jump by an Australian junior for 17 years. 

In early 2023 she travelled to Europe to compete indoors, setting, then equalling a new PB of 1.90m. Back in Australia for the summer she was third at Nationals and in July in Europe back over 1.86m. 

Still 18, Erin has been named in her first senior team for the World Championships in Budapest where three NSW athletes will compete together.

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Erin Shaw’s start in athletes was at the encouragement of a primary school teacher when she was aged 9 after she had competed at some school events.

Growing up Erin also participated in other sports socially and at school - basketball, netball and touch football. She enjoyed a part time job teaching kids to swim as well as being a surf life saver at a local beach. Erin was a talented swimmer, breaking school records, but chose to concentre on athletics competitively.

After spending two years at a school in Germany (years 6 & 7), back in Australia in year 8 she started high jumping again and by age 15 was already hitting big heights, clearing 1.77m. Negotiating the lost time, when COVID cancelled competitions, aged 16 Erin continued to improve, reaching 1.84m and winning the National U20 title in March 2021. This result earned her selection in the Australia U20 team that did not travel to the World U20 Championships due to COVID.

In 2022, a year when she was sitting her HSC year, Erin started well with early season clearances of 1.82m, then 1.83m. But then she had two major setbacks.
“Four weeks before nationals I broke my wrist and two weeks out, I badly rolled my ankle making the lead up rough, but I was still able to finish with a win, and automatic selection into the World U20 team.”

In June 2022, Erin continued her progression, clearing 1.85m at the Oceania Championships.

Education: in 2022 Year 12 at Roseville College, from 2023 Bachelor of Exercise Science/Advanced Studies at Sydney Uni (p/t) …Biggest influence: an early school teacher that encouraged her; more recently her coach Jack McArdle. “He has taken my love of high jump to a competitive level. He is a great mentor as well as a great coach. I have also been very fortunate to have been given opportunities at all levels to be involved in specialist training with various people and other great athletes who I inspire to be like… Advice to your young self: “Back yourself and enjoy what you do.”…Interesting facts: Speaks German, lived there for two years and completed German in the HSC.

@ August 2023 david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au

World Athletics Profile https://worldathletics.org/athletes/australia/erin-shaw-14859206