Harvard field hockey coach Sue Caples emphasizes her “finesse.”

Her older brother highlights her “fiery nature.”

No matter how you term it, there is no doubt that sophomore Shelley Maasdorp makes her presence known on the field.

Making the jump across the Atlantic from Harare, Zimbabwe, to Cambridge, Maasdorp has impressed with her unique playing style, groomed since her childhood.

A member of the Zimbabwe Under-18 team since the tender age of 15, Maasdorp also led her high school, Chisipite Senior, to a championship at the Top 15 Schools of Southern Africa Tournament. She is currently on the Zimbabwe national squad— a considerable feat in a country where field hockey is the most popular women’s sport.

But for all her accomplishments, Maasdorp landed on her left arm rather than the right foot at the beginning of her field hockey career. The day before her very first game, she broke her arm by slipping while swinging on the crossbar of a hockey goalcage.

All in the Family

Maasdorp’s athletic pedigree impresses, as cousins Ken and Iam Harnden competed for Zimbabwe in the 2000 Olympics. Ken was also a two-time NCAA champion in the 400-meter hurdles for UNC.

In addition, both parents played field hockey during college, ensuring early starts to their children’s careers. Her brother, Harvard senior Paul Maasdorp was himself a member of the U-18 Zimbabwe National Team.

“[Our parents] were very supportive, always came out every Sunday afternoon and played in our garden,” Paul said.

“We’ve been puttering around since we were little, playing rugby and hockey in the backyard,” Shelley said.

Maasdorp’s 12-year-old sister, Nicola, continues the family tradition, urging her elders to join her in friendly backyard competition.

Family visits to see her brother prepared Maasdorp for her transition to Harvard, but the move left more than her family and friends behind.

“Things don’t always work [at home],” Maasdorp said. “It’s definitely a Third World country. We have power cuts for hours and people are lighting candles and saying, ‘OK, we’ll play cards.’ Harvard life stops when the Internet stops.”

From Harare to Harvard