With the second half of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2024-25 quick approaching, we’re catching up with gamers and coaches of all 9 males’s and girls’s groups to take the temperature of their season via the primary half and discover their targets for the remaining matches. In in the present day’s interview, we converse with members of the Belgium males’s workforce, the Purple Lions, together with coach Shane McLeod and senior stars Arthur Van Doren and Arthur De Sloover.
How would you assess the workforce’s total efficiency through the first a part of the Professional League season?
Shane McLeod: Up to now so good. It has been nice to see our program onboarding so many new gamers efficiently. There’s a good mixture of proficient gamers which might be working arduous to proceed the story of the Purple Lions in their very own means. This has introduced new power to the group and new obligations to gamers which have been a part of this system for some time. The factors converse for themselves and inform a part of the story however the story behind profitable video games is because of a whole lot of effort by many. This consists of the work by the federation and B-Gold youth program to have gamers shut sufficient that they will step into the worldwide surroundings.
Had been there any key learnings or surprises — both tactically or when it comes to participant improvement?
SM: Our greatest learnings throughout this course of is that totally different gamers deal with the approach to life that’s required to worldwide hockey in several methods. They due to this fact make positive aspects at totally different moments throughout this course of. It has been very pleasing to see lots of the gamers altering a few of their behaviours that sluggish them down in how they play and prepare. What’s shocking is that we now have but to see the place this new group will attain their finest degree. Every time we problem them they thrive on the problem and ship greater than we anticipated. This additionally contributes to the working surroundings.
Do you may have a rating goal?
SM: The second a part of the proleague accommodates a number of targets. At primary is to get our group prepared for the Europeans. We do that by giving alternatives to the bigger squad till we decide on the European choice. At quantity two, we now have a chance to observe match hockey with again to again video games and likewise deal with the final three matches as quarter, semi and last matches. Lastly, our workforce is eager to win their first occasion collectively.
What moments from the primary a part of the season stand out most to you?
Arthur Van Doren: I’m actually having fun with the contemporary power the brand new faces are bringing. We’ve already seen a few of them make a robust influence—it’s arduous to choose only one or two standout moments.
Arthur De Sloover: The beginning of our marketing campaign in Holland. Particularly the video games towards Germany, the place our children that got here within the workforce after Paris confirmed already a few of their excellence.
How did the workforce develop or evolve throughout these first matches?
AVD: We’re a comparatively younger workforce when it comes to expertise of taking part in collectively, so we’re rising after each recreation we play with one another. We’re embracing the problem of studying and bettering as a unit.
ADS: In December the workforce had some nice outcomes, and after a superb winter interval we managed to copy this in Argentina. The younger gamers have proven a terrific mentality and a excessive diploma of maturity.
How are you and the workforce making ready mentally and bodily for the ultimate stretch?
AVD: Heading into summer season is at all times essentially the most thrilling stretch. It’s when the video games that matter most are performed—each on the membership degree and with the nationwide workforce. We’re actually trying ahead to the problem forward.
ADS: Bodily we now have labored very arduous within the winter interval to verify we are going to deal with the excessive quantity of video games in June. It’s going to be a really intense interval the place the physique must recuperate nicely. On the psychological half, we wish to go all-in to win the Professional League. Enjoying video games of consequence will assist in our improvement.
Do you are feeling added strain or additional motivation taking part in on residence soil in Antwerp?
AVD: Principally motivation and pleasure. We love taking part in in entrance of our family and friends in addition to the Belgian followers!
ADS: No huge nerves, however a whole lot of motivation! Enjoying in entrance of our family, pals and followers is essentially the most thrilling there’s. That’s why we do all of the arduous work within the background. Going for the win within the Professional League will add some strain in direction of the tip of the competitors, however this can be a good studying course of in direction of the Euros this summer season.
What would you wish to say to the supporters who’ll be in Antwerp or watching from residence?
AVD: To everybody in Antwerp or watching from residence—thanks to your help. We love taking part in in Belgium and we’ll give our all to make you proud.
ADS: Come and help us in Antwerp! We’d like your help and it’s at all times nice to play in a full home 😄 For the individuals watching at residence, present us your help on the socials and be constructive with a bunch in full improvement!
How essential is the house crowd power for you on the pitch? Can the gang in Antwerp be a decisive consider key matches?
AVD: It’s essential—an electrical residence crowd at all times provides you that additional push. An ideal instance is the 2019 European Championship semi last towards Germany. We had been 2-0 down, however with the gang behind us, we pulled off a comeback.
ADS: Positively. The previous has proven what the Belgian crowd can do for us! With the ability to battle for the win within the Professional League on residence soil is one thing particular.
How does it really feel to be closing the Professional League at residence in Antwerp? Is there a particular connection to that venue?
ADS: It’s the place the place we prepare week in week out with the workforce. Additionally the place the place we received our solely European title. It’s a really particular place the place we really feel we at all times have a bonus in comparison with the opposition.
