No hassle, Russell muscle set to boost SA hopes
SHELLEY Russell will be one of the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team’s key players in their last-chance 2012 London Olympics qualifying campaign that gets under way against Poland here today (6.30am SA time).
Having already played 130plus Test matches for SA, the very fast 24-year-old Russell started her international career as an out-and-out striker but has developed into an attacking left-side midfielder whose ability to tackle is a hallmark.
“We are excited about the Olympic Qualifier and it will show on the field. Captain Marsha Marescia leads by example and is very calm on the field, which is a big help,” says the blonde with a bubbly personality.
Her life is much more than just hockey. “I love shopping, can do it for hours, love watching Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girls, love fashion but I am quite balanced. I enjoy dressing up for parties, but otherwise I wear a lot of sports clothing. I love a good night out with the girls.”
Superstitions? “I used to do everything in fives, bounce the tennis ball five times before serving, but now it’s more the odd habit like making sure I’m wearing matching undersocks.”
The whole family have an inclination toward sport. Big brother Brent, 33, is the former Springbok rugby player cur- rently with Clermont-ferrand in France while another brother Andrew, 26, is a sports scientist in the United Arab Emirates who works with the International Cricket Council among other high level sports associations.
Shelley has a sports science degree from Maties.
“Sometimes we have group Skypes to keep in touch,” she laughs. The laugh is ever-present, though.
Dad Rob played halfback for Easter n Province and mom Sharon was a provincial hockey, badminton and tennis player. They take every opportunity to watch Shelley play. “They get more TV time than me!”
After the benefits of being nurtured at top hockey school St Mary’s Waverley and Maties in Stellenbosch, Russell started her overseas club hockey career at Gantoise in Ghent, Belgium before moving to Pinoke in Amsterdam.
The advantage of playing in the Netherlands in the world’s strongest club league has helped immeasurably in developing Russell’s game as an international hockey player.
“Every match there’s a lot of pressure, each one is like a Test match, there’s a lot of support.”
However, lower-back ailments have plagued Russell and it’s a constant battle to be match-ready. For now, though, the focus is gold in Delhi, which will qualify SA for the London 2012 Olympics, and you can be sure that Russell will be putting her body on the line,