Field Vision

Tom Boon, an icon of world hockey, cuts a relaxed figure away from the pitch, soaking in the bright Ranchi sunlight on the hotel rooftop, relaxed and at home.

But once the temperature drops and attention shifts to training sessions and match nights at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Stadium, he transforms. The calm recedes.

On the field, he is a marauder. Shrewd and robust, constantly scanning and manoeuvring through the tightest spaces, he asserts himself as a power forward and the most decisive outfielder in his team. He has already scored 12 goals in the competition, four from open play, six from penalty corners and a stroke.

We at Field Vision conducted an exclusive interview with Tom Boon.

Q: Tom, you had a terrific year individually, but on the team front, Belgium struggled for consistency. They did not reach the semifinals of the European Championship, but ended 2025 strongly with the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title and a good start in the FIH Pro League.

Tom: I think it was a pretty nice year.

We had to come with a new team, as several players stopped after Paris, so we needed to build something new. I think there were almost new players in the squad. It was really interesting starting almost from nowhere and seeing all the steps we made during the year.

We had a pretty interesting Pro League. We played some really good games. What we missed a little was consistency to reach a stable level. Some games in the same week, we struggled. We played well one day, then the next day it was not good enough, and then we played well again. Consistency was something we missed throughout the year.

It was the same at the Euros. We all knew it was going to be a tough year with a new team. I think we did as well as we could and made some steps, so I’m really looking forward to what we can do this new year.

Q: Antoine Kina retired after the European Championship. He was instrumental in the national team’s success and could adapt to various roles in attack and defence. How big is the void going forward into the next cycle?

Tom: Look, Antoine for me is one of the best players in the world. He has abilities that no one else has. It’s going to be really difficult to find someone like him to fill that loss.

But in team sports, everyone is replaceable. We can find another player and make the team work. The team always has to stay above one player. We’re going to miss him, that’s for sure. But now he’s not there anymore, so we need to move forward. I hope some good players will fill that last spot.

Q: You have a lot of national team commitments after the Hockey India League, the Pro League leg in Rourkela, and Belgium co-hosting the World Cup with the Netherlands. In the Pro League, Belgium has started with a clear intent to secure the 2028 Los Angeles qualification early.

Tom: Yeah, it’s going to be a really tough year, starting in a few weeks in India with the Pro League. Afterwards, we’ll have a full Pro League block in Belgium, followed by the World Cup.

We’re really looking forward to the challenges ahead. I just hope we can reach our full potential over the next six months.

We have a good team. As I said, what we miss is performing well consistently over a short period of time. But I think we have everything we need to win tournaments. Whether we do it or not, the future will tell.

I see the hunger and the training intensity we’ve had in the last few months. We are taking steps. It’s just difficult to know where this team will stop. What is the full potential? We haven’t reached it yet, that’s 100 per cent sure. But we’ve shown some really good things, and I’m looking forward to what’s coming.

Q: You were one of the costliest players in the 2014 Hockey India League with Dabang Mumbai. A decade later, after the league’s return, you are back and have played in front of big crowds in Ranchi and Bhubaneswar. Tell us your thoughts on the two stints.

Tom: I came here as a young Belgian boy, playing with all the stars I watched growing up. It was a very different experience. I was one of the youngest players then, and now I’m one of the oldest, so a lot has changed.

So far, I’ve enjoyed both experiences.

I’m really looking forward to playing in Ranchi. We want to play in front of crowds, in packed stadiums. That’s what we train for.

It was a bit of a shame in Chennai that no one was there. I hope Ranchi and Bhubaneswar will be different, and I hope we can show what we’re capable of and get more wins.

Q: Belgium featured in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time. You received tremendous support from Malaysian fans and celebrated the title with them. Tell us about the experience.

Tom: It was really nice. I think it was my first time playing in Malaysia with the senior group.

I had played there before at the Under-21 World Cup. It’s always great to play in front of different crowds, in different stadiums, and travel the world to play hockey. I really enjoy that.

Q: Would you love to play there again?

Tom: Yeah, I would love to. I’m almost finished. I have about two and a half years to go.

Q: You have won every major team accolade with Belgium at the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, the 2019 European Championship in Antwerp, and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold. You are at the later stage of your career, but still pushing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. How do you motivate yourself?

Tom: I think what we have done in the past is very special. When I started in 2008, we were far from thinking we could achieve this. In the end, we achieved the highest level a hockey professional can reach.

I try to enjoy the journey as much as possible. It’s not only about playing or winning tournaments. The moments as a group between tournaments are very important. Being fit to train, training at your maximum, trying to get better every day, pushing in training and in the gym, that’s something I really cherish. It helps you improve daily.

The moments away from big stadium lights are also important. I enjoy waking up, going to training, and living this routine. It’s a very nice life, training together, travelling the world, and playing hockey.

I will try to reach Los Angeles. It’s going to be tough, as I’m almost 36 now. I’m getting older, but I’ll try to stay as fit and healthy as possible to make it happen.

Q: Your thoughts on Shane McLeod. He has been part of the Belgium national team setup for a decade and helped win every major title. It’s not easy for a coach to stay in a high-pressure environment that demands results.

Tom: I think it’s very difficult for a coach to stay with one group for so many years with one group.

The skills Shane has are unbelievable. He fits perfectly into our culture and our group, and he makes us better every day. No one is tired of him. He understands our needs and what we require to improve. He adapts to the group he’s working with. For me, that’s what makes him the best coach in the world.

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