Oct. 28, 2009

California field hockey head coach Shellie Onstead didn't have to circle the globe to land an international recruit who would become one of the veteran leaders of her 2009 squad. All she had to do was open her office door.

Sophie Sproats was in Berkeley on vacation in 2005, making the trip from her native Australia to see her brother, a member of the Cal men's crew team. While in the neighborhood, Sproats found herself meeting with Onstead, a meeting that led to Sproats becoming a member of Cal's field hockey team. Fast forward to 2009 and Sproats, a key defender, is now one of the captains on the squad.

Sproats, a junior athletically and a senior academically who has started every game for Cal the past two seasons, has found herself in the leadership role after the Golden Bears lost 10 seniors from last year.

"It hasn't been too difficult to be one of the veterans on the team," Sproats said. "We need to appreciate how everyone plays. It's taking the different playing styles of the younger players and creating our own unique, team style of play that is challenging. I sincerely do take pride and get absolute enjoyment in helping the younger players strive to take their game to the next level."

Being a leader is something that is not new to Sproats. While in high school, Sproats won her school's Vi Et Animo Cup, which recognizes outstanding all-around achievement, leadership and team spirit. In her senior year, Sproats was appointed the school's sports captain, the captain of the field hockey team and the captain of the ski and snowboard team.

"Sophie's in a position that has a lot of organizational responsibilities," Onstead said. "She's stepped up on the field, and it led to her being named one of the team captains. It's starting to show off the field now as well."

With regards to finding Sproats, Onstead said her brother, Tom, laid down the ground work and got the wheels turning for Onstead to start researching her. Onstead said Tom would come into the field hockey office and start hyping up Sophie to her before Sophie made her first visit to Berkeley.

When it came to participating in high school sports, Sproats was very involved. Besides field hockey, Sproats also competed on the swim team, water polo team, track/cross country and the tennis team.

Field hockey wasn't the other sport that she excelled in, as she set the school record in the 800 meters for her high school. Sproats said she loves long-distance running, but it's not her passion like field hockey is.

"I liked the 800-meter race because it wasn't too long, but it was long enough," Sproats said. "Track wasn't a passion like field hockey was because it was an individual sport, and I am definitely a fan of team sports. I decided on field hockey because it is a sport with a running background, has many different aspects to it and, above all, I love a team sport."

Sproats is also an avid snowboarder. It's a hobby that runs throughout her family. In 2004, she was the runner-up for the Under-18 Australian National Snowboarder title, but what's even more amazing is she how she even made it to the competition.

"I was in my final year of high school and I was encouraged not to partake in the races because they were during our trial Higher School Certificate exams, which contributed towards our final grade and UAI (Australian equivalent of a GPA)," Sproats recalled. "However, I was able to find a loop-hole in my exam schedule. My mom and I commuted to the snow fields (a six-hour drive) for one race and drove home. People thought we were crazy! It was a great experience that I didn't think I was ever capable of, and I shocked myself a little because it was something that came with little effort because I love it so much."

It was a bit of a surreal experience for Sproats when she first arrived in California. She had never lived alone before and now found herself living in a different country. As much as a culture shock it was for her, Sproats has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Cal.

"Coming to Cal has been the most eye-opening and wonderful experience," Sproats said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything. Going to a college in America differs so much from Australia. There isn't the same school spirit back home like we have here at Cal. There is no college town like Berkeley. But I do live in one of the best cities in the world (Sydney) and look forward to moving back home next May to my family and friends."