England and Great Britain defender Conor Williamson has swapped Surbiton Hockey Club for Hoofdklasse side HC Bloemendaal ahead of the new season. He has been a key part of the England and Great Britain set-up since 2022, winning European silver in 2023 and helping Surbiton to the English title in 2025. We caught up with Conor a few weeks into his Bloemendaal career to find out how he’s settling in, what he’s aiming for this season and how he’s preparing for the home Euros in 2027. He also tells us which Grays Hockey equipment he relies on.
1. After establishing yourself at Surbiton and becoming an important part of the England setup, what made this the right time to take the step into Dutch hockey with Bloemendaal?
"I just thought it was a good time to experience something new. I played at Surbiton as a colt and then again once I left university, so it just felt like a nice time to take a new challenge on, and when Bloemendaal contacted me it felt like a great opportunity and one that would be very difficult to turn down."
2. How have you found the transition into a new team and a new league, and what have you noticed most about the differences between playing in the Netherlands and England?
"I haven’t had too much time over in the Netherlands yet, so I’m definitely still learning different things. Everyone at the club has been very welcoming, and everyone in the team has been great in helping to integrate me into the group. We had our first league game on the weekend, and it was great to see how busy the club was and the atmosphere that was created for a league game."
3. As a centre back, how important is your role in controlling the game from the back, and how has playing alongside a new group of players influenced the way you defend and build attacks? Has your role changed at all?
"My role is similar to what it has been in recent years. Playing as a free defender means I have to communicate a lot and try to help organise the team, particularly in defensive situations. When trying to build attacks it’s been about getting used to different players’ movements and how they like the ball played into them, and trying to build the connections from there."
4. How do you see this season at Bloemendaal contributing to your development, and what are you hoping to achieve both individually and as a team?
"I think it will be a new challenge, with a demand to perform week after week, which I’m hoping will help me deliver good performances consistently. As a team we want to do everything to try and make playoffs and see if we can go even further from there, and hopefully have a really successful season."
5. How do you manage the demands of playing and travelling between London and the Netherlands, and how much are you looking forward to the home Euros in 2027?
"It’s definitely something I’m still getting used to. Continuing good recovery habits will be really important to make sure I can manage the demands week to week. I’m really excited about the prospect of playing in a home Euros. I haven’t played in a home tournament before, but whenever we have had pro league in London it’s always been a great event with fantastic crowds and support so I can only imagine how a home Euros would feel."
6. You use the GRAYS JB9, alongside the Aerocage X10 and Apex Touch Glove. What do you look for from your equipment as a defender, and what is it about those products that suits your game?
"I’m currently using the JB9. For me it gives me everything I want from a stick. The jumbow makes it easier to throw aerials and makes carrying the ball feel really nice. It also gives me really good power to be able to play longer passes, while also keeping a soft touch which is helpful for my first touch and also interceptions.
I also use the Aerocage X10. I’ve really noticed an improvement from the previous Aerocage. From a performance point of view I find the grip really good and they also offer a layer of protection if the ball hits my foot. I’ve also found them to be really comfortable which is important when you are playing so much.#
On top of that, I use the Apex Glove. As a defender, my hands are often exposed in tackles, so having good protection is really important. The glove gives me that confidence without making my hands feel restricted so I can still keep a good feel for the ball."
It’s an exciting time for Williamson. A new club, a new league and a home Euros on the horizon give him plenty to look forward to, and with England teammate Zach Wallace alongside him at Bloemendaal, he has a familiar face to help him settle in. With Bloemendaal aiming for the playoffs and England preparing for 2027, we look forward to seeing Conor's success in the coming year!
