Highlander Athletics

        When one thinks of high school sports, football typically springs to mind first. That may not be the case at St. Andrew’s for much longer because, for the first time in school history, field hockey is the school’s largest and fastest growing sports program! 

Given this growth, it is fortuitous that Sofia Walbaum, a celebrated international field hockey athlete and coach, has joined St. Andrew’s this year as the Field Hockey Program Director and Head Coach. Coach Walbaum brings to SAS an impressive background, having played internationally for the Chilean national team for 16 years. She has over a decade of coaching and managing experience, including two years managing and coaching the U16 and U21 Chilean national teams. According to Adam Falla, the Austin Lone Star Field Hockey Club General Manager, Coach Walbaum is “the best coach in the Southwest Preparatory Conference, bar none.”

Born in Santiago, Chile, Walbaum was naturally drawn to the game and started playing field hockey at four years old alongside her older siblings. At just 14 years old, she made the U21 Chilean national team and played in her first Junior Pan American Cup a year later. At 16, she was called up to the top Chilean national team, where she excelled in international competition and traveled the world for 16 years. Coach Walbaum also reveled in the opportunity to represent her country. “For me, it’s been one of the best experiences of my life, not only because of the field hockey experience, but because you share so many different moments with so many amazing people. It connects you with the coaches, staff, and players through doing something that you really love and that you put so much passion into.” 

A history teacher by training, Coach Walbaum’s initial goal at SAS is to create a strong and united team and help students fall in love with the sport. Leading the field hockey program at St. Andrew’s is an enticing opportunity for Walbaum, who is hopeful that she can help create a thriving field hockey culture in Austin. “I feel like there is so much potential to grow the field hockey program at St. Andrew’s as well as increase its popularity and participation in Austin,” she said. Not only is Walbaum working to introduce our Middle School girls to field hockey, but she is also recruiting a larger coaching staff to help students at all levels develop and improve their field hockey skills. Coach Walbaum is hopeful that St. Andrew’s can enhance its infrastructure by adding an artificial turf field, which will allow our field hockey team to practice on the same type of playing surface that they compete on for their SPC schedule.

Coach Walbaum carries with her several important lessons from past coaches: “They have taught me to constantly challenge myself, to be vulnerable to my teammates, and to continually grow.” Walbaum admits, “Sometimes it’s easy to get into a comfort zone and not challenge yourself. But, when you try to be the best version of yourself every day, you can grow so much, and you can inspire other people as well.”

At her core, Coach Walbaum is a teacher and a mentor. “It’s a great opportunity for everybody to learn something new and enjoy what they’re doing at the same time! I seek to create a positive environment where you can enjoy competing with your friends while also being challenged to grow not only as a field hockey player, but also as a person.” This enthusiasm is paying off, as the St. Andrew’s field hockey program has seen significant improvement this year and player morale is at an all-time high. Team Co-Captain and defensive star, Emily Gregg concurs. “We have grown so much as a team this season and a large part of that is due to the impact that Coach Sofia has made on the program.” Indeed, under the leadership of international field hockey player Coach Sofia Walbaum, the St. Andrew’s field hockey program will one day soon be a force to be reckoned with in the SPC conference.