The Success Of Belgium Hockey Team

Before 2008, the Belgium hockey team did not participate at the world-class level. The team created history in 2008: they qualified for the first time for the Beijing Olympics' and ended their quest with a 9'th place.

Five years later in, 2012, London Olympics, Belgium leapfrog to 5th place.

The Belgium hockey team's progress in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics' demonstrated that Belgium was on the right path in its quest to be a medalist in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In terms of the world ranking, Belgium has progressed from 25th in 2010 to 5th in the world now. "Remarkable progress."

When did this transformation begin? Let's move back to get a clearer picture of Belgium's hockey performance at the world level before 2015? From here, we can get a clearer picture of Belgium's hockey history.

In the hockey World Cup series, Belgium didn't qualify for the 2006 & 2010 World Cup. And in 2014, Belgium ended in 5th place. A grand achievement for a team that has missed two World Cups.

For the Olympics, Belgium finished 9th in 2008 and 5th in 2012.

In the recently concluded World Hockey League Finals in Raipur, India, Belgium ended runner-up to Australia.

Looking at all the above results, I can assert that Belgium hockey had drawn up an excellent 10' years development plan. After Belgium failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, their ultimate target is to be a medalist in the 2016 Olympics. Will they achieve their target?

In Belgium and most parts of Europe, hockey players began their learning from the fundamental stage to hockey for life with a club.

The transformation of Belgium hockey had begun from their club's level. And with funding in place, the clubs secured world-class coaches to draw a development plan that embodied excellence and implemented it thoroughly in training.

From these development programs, they produced world-class hockey players that are playing with the best clubs in Europe. After gaining exposure, these elite hockey players will return to their clubs and imbue their youth hockey players in the development program. The cycle of transferring skills from the best had begun.

In time, the success of hockey clubs in Belgium had begun to flourish, and their club, KHC Dragons' emerged as the runner-up in the prestigious European Hockey League for the year 2012-13.

MHC's decision to get the MOU signed with Aussie Hockey was to learn from the best. For this partnership to be a success, MHC has to work with all of our stakeholders in hockey, i.e., Ministry Of Education, Affiliates, and Premier League clubs.

All stakeholders must embody excellence in their development programs and their preparation of teams in the Junior or Senior leagues.

An environment that embodies excellence will create elite players of world-class standards.

What difference is in the Belgium hockey team's preparation to achieve their dream of winning a medal in the Rio Olympics?

Watch this video and see the difference in their preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics.