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Staff Bios
Rutger Wiese, Head Coach
Rutger Wiese is a high-performance leader who has shaped field hockey programs at every level — from youth development to the international stage — across the United States, the Netherlands, and beyond. With more than 20 years of coaching experience and six major European championships as a player, Wiese combines elite competitive insight with a relentless drive to build winning cultures.
As Head Coach of the USA Men’s National Team (2017–2020), Wiese transformed the program through a clear, long-term performance vision. He built an integrated pathway from junior to senior levels, established regional high-performance training centers, and elevated the team’s international standard. Under his leadership, Team USA qualified for five major tournaments, earning three bronze medals (World League Round 2, 2017; Pan American Cup, 2017; Pan American Games, 2019), a gold medal (World Series Round 1, 2018), and a semifinal appearance at the World Series Finals (2019). The team climbed the world rankings and secured wins over higher-ranked nations including France, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Russia, while also drawing against Canada and Japan.
Wiese also assisted the Japan Women’s National Team in its preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics Qualifier, contributing his high-performance expertise on the world’s biggest stage.
In 2017, he launched USA Field Hockey’s Junior National Program, creating a year-round high-performance pathway for U16, U18, and U21 athletes. Within three years the U21 squad achieved historic series wins over Canada (first since 2011) and Chile (first since the 1990s), and the program has since produced more than 10 senior national team players.
At the collegiate level, Wiese has built a reputation for driving competitive turnarounds and sustained success. As head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2003–2009), he compiled a 96–39 record — the best in program history — leading the team to three NCAA Division II Final Fours and its first PSAC Championship while developing All-Americans and a National Player of the Year. He later helped guide Harvard to consecutive winning seasons for the first time in over a decade, with 12 athletes earning All-Ivy League honors. From 2022 to 2024, he also helped lead UMass Lowell to three consecutive playoff appearances, reinforcing his impact at the Division I level.
Before relocating to the United States, Wiese coached at the highest levels in the Netherlands, including leadership roles within the Dutch district system and national youth teams.
As a player, Wiese competed at the elite European level with H.C. Bloemendaal, winning three Dutch national championships and a European title. He later added a Scottish National Indoor Championship with Menzieshill H.C. to his résumé.
In 2003, Wiese founded RutgerSports, growing it into one of the premier field hockey camp organizations in the United States. In 2021, he launched The Field Hockey School, advancing his mission to develop athletes and coaches who compete with intelligence, resilience, and a championship mindset.
Beginning in spring 2026, Wiese will bring this wealth of experience and high-performance programming to Weston, Massachusetts, expanding his coaching, development, and training offerings in the New England region.
Maxine van Havere, Coach
Maxine’s love for field hockey began at just five years old at Royal Victory Hockey Club. What started as pure childhood joy quickly grew into a lifelong passion that shaped her discipline, leadership, and competitive drive.
As a youth athlete, Maxine competed nationally from U14 through U16, developing her technical skills and mental toughness in high-performance environments. Her dedication to the sport eventually led her to the United States, where she competed as a Division I student-athlete at UMass Lowell for four years. While competing at the highest collegiate level, she earned her degree in Business Administration — proving that academic excellence and elite athletics can go hand in hand.
Coaching has always been central to Maxine’s journey. She spent six years coaching at Royal Victory Hockey Club, mentoring young athletes and helping them grow both on and off the field. During her college career, she continued working with youth players, focusing not only on technical development, but also on building confidence, teamwork, and resilience.
For Maxine, field hockey is about more than competition — it’s about commitment, connection, and growth. Her mission is to inspire the next generation to develop skills, character, and a lifelong love for the game.
Mark Waltham, High Performance & Tactical Coach
Mark brings more than 25 years of high-performance athletic experience and a deep passion for developing smart, confident athletes. He competed in field hockey for 15 years, building a strong foundation in technical skill and tactical awareness from a young age.
His coaching journey has taken him across multiple high-level environments. Mark led a women’s side to the British National Finals, earning recognition for his ability to connect fundamental skills with high-pressure game performance. He also competed internationally in “intelligent sport,” achieving a third-place finish at the World Challenge — a testament to his strategic mindset and competitive focus.
Beyond field hockey, Mark’s multi-sport background strengthens his coaching philosophy. As a varsity-level golfer (4 handicap) and certified Alpine Ski Race Coach (U8–U14), he brings advanced insight into biomechanics, mental resilience, and performance under pressure.
For the past three years, Mark has been a key leader within the Weston youth field hockey program. At the Elite Academy, he focuses on developing a fast-paced, intelligent style of play while building the confidence, teamwork, and competitive mindset athletes need to succeed at the next level.