As a new season gets underway in the Dutch Hoofdklasse, we caught up with England and GB captain Zach Wallace to talk about life at one of hockey's most iconic clubs. Zach reflects on life at Bloemendaal, how the Dutch game compares to the UK, what's ahead with a home Europeans in 2027 and LA 2028, as well as his essential Grays Hockey ZW7 & AeroCage X10 he relies on in midfield.
1. You've now spent several seasons at Bloemendaal. What first attracted you to the club, and how has your experience in the Netherlands changed the way you approach the game?
“The opportunity to play for Bloemendaal is something you can never say no to. It's such an iconic club in the world of hockey, with some incredible players having played there over the years, so I felt fortunate to have the chance to experience it myself. Having been there a few years now, I've experienced a lot, and I always try to take aspects from wherever I'm playing and add them to my game. If I had to single out one thing, it would be seeing different mindsets and approaches to the game compared to what I was used to previously.”
2. Having experienced both English and Dutch domestic hockey, what do you see as the biggest differences between the two leagues in terms of style, intensity, training and preparation?
“From a domestic hockey perspective, I think the Dutch league is at a different level to the UK domestic game in terms of professionalism. Athletes train four times a week at their clubs, and this is reinforced with physio, S&C, nutrition and financial support throughout. You may see that at a few clubs in the UK, but it's not as widespread as it is in the Netherlands. Overall, this creates a more competitive league where pretty much any team can beat anyone.”
3. As an established player and England and GB captain, how has your role at Bloemendaal developed, and what have you learned from playing alongside some of the best players in the world?
“I just try to be myself at club level, the same as with GB and England, and I want both the team and myself to do as well as possible. I've definitely learned a lot from other players, and I try to pick up aspects of how they do things that I like, whether that's on or off the pitch. But I also think it's important not to get too carried away with what other countries are doing, and I often come away feeling that the things we do with England and GB are already putting us on a great trajectory.”
4. Bloemendaal has a huge history and expectation of competing for titles. What are your ambitions for the club this season, and what would it mean to help bring success back to the team?
“The objective at Bloemendaal is simple: to win every trophy possible each year, and to do so playing a beautiful style of hockey. So, the objective this year will be to do exactly that, and it would mean a huge amount to be successful in doing so.”
5. You'll be balancing your club commitments in the Netherlands with travelling back to the UK for England and GB duties, with the home Euros in London coming up in 2027. How do you manage that balance, and what does playing a home Euros mean to you?
“The balance is difficult and takes a lot of energy, but I wouldn't change it because it's so rewarding. The competition in the Netherlands is intense during the season, but any chance to represent your country, whether in games or in training, can't be taken for granted. And as you say, that's especially true in the coming years, with a home Europeans, which will be the first home tournament for nearly all of the squad, followed by the LA Olympics the year after. We're extremely driven and confident about being successful in both, so as athletes we'll do whatever it takes to give ourselves the best chance.”
6. You've worked closely with Grays to develop your ZW7, alongside wearing the AeroCage X10 and Apex Glove. What do you look for in your equipment, and how do those products complement the way you play as a midfielder?
“Equipment is really important for me to feel comfortable on the pitch so I've spent a lot of time working with Grays to make sure it complements my style of play. For me, that means a stick that lets me carry the ball and play passes easily, and footwear that helps me stay mobile and dynamic on the ball. I have both with the ZW7 and the AeroCage shoes, which get better every year.”
