Inside the Circle with Ben Walker: Ireland Hockey, Paris 2024 and Life in Belgium
From Three Rock Rovers to more than 100 international caps and five seasons in one of Europe’s strongest leagues, Ben Walker’s hockey career has taken him a long way from home.
The Ireland forward has experienced Olympic hockey in Paris, Pro League competition, World Cup qualification and years of elite club hockey in Belgium — all while learning how to adapt his game to different teams, roles and styles.
And with Ireland now qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the next major chapter is already approaching.
In this edition of Inside the Circle, Ben joins Total-Hockey to talk about beating France to secure World Cup qualification, life at Braxgata, what Belgian hockey taught him about playing as a forward, the adidas equipment he has trusted for years, why international experience has strengthened Ireland, and how better coverage could help more people discover the sport.
Watch the full Inside the Circle interview with Ben Walker below, or keep reading for the biggest stories, insights and lessons from his journey with Ireland and five seasons playing at the top level in Belgium.
World Cup Qualification Secured
One of the biggest recent moments in Ben’s international career came in Chile, where Ireland secured qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
The preparation had been significant.
Ireland spent a long block together through the winter, including training camps in Spain and a strong schedule of practice matches.
That preparation paid off.
Ireland produced convincing performances and beat Wales in the match that ultimately secured their World Cup place.
Then came another statement result.
A win over France in the final.
For Ben, that felt like the perfect way to finish the tournament.
Why Preparation Made the Difference
Ben describes the pre-qualifier block as one of the strongest preparation periods the squad has had.
That mattered because Ireland’s international programme operates differently from many fully centralised nations.
A large part of the squad plays abroad.
Belgium.
England.
The Netherlands.
Others remain in Ireland.
That means the team can’t simply train together every day throughout the season.
When a major tournament approaches, every training block becomes important.
Balancing Club and Country
Ben has spent five seasons playing in Belgium.
That naturally creates a logistical challenge when Ireland camps begin.
Fortunately, club and international calendars generally work together fairly well.
During most of his time in Belgium, Ben has rarely needed to miss club matches for Ireland.
Once the domestic season ends, he returns to the international programme.
It isn’t completely seamless.
A few days away from hockey can quickly become another intense national-team block.
But after several years, the rhythm has become familiar.
Nations Cup Ambitions
At the time of the interview, Ireland were preparing for the Nations Cup in South Africa.
The prize is significant.
Win the competition and the pathway back towards Pro League hockey opens.
For Ben, the format makes the tournament particularly exciting.
There are no easy matches.
Teams are close together in the world rankings.
Every group game matters.
The tournament has a clear objective.
Win.
Progress.
Give yourself a chance to move up.
Why Ireland Enjoy the Nations Cup
Ireland had previously played the Nations Cup in South Africa and Ben remembers it as one of the most enjoyable tournaments he had experienced.
The reason was simple.
Every match felt competitive.
Rather than playing teams separated by huge differences in ranking, Ireland were constantly facing opponents around their own level.
That creates pressure.
But it also creates opportunity.
It’s exactly the type of hockey the squad wants.
A Strong Season With Braxgata
Club hockey has been equally significant.
Ben’s Braxgata side finished top of the regular season in Belgium before narrowly losing the championship final.
At the time, the defeat still made the overall season difficult to assess emotionally.
Finish first.
Reach the final.
Lose the last match.
The immediate reaction is always disappointment.
But Ben still considers it one of the strongest teams he has been part of during his five years in Belgium.
Why Braxgata Worked So Well
One of the biggest strengths was continuity.
Much of the team had grown up through the club together.
Players who were once considered young prospects had matured into established Belgian league players and internationals.
Alongside them were some of the most experienced players in world hockey.
Olympic champions.
Hundreds of international caps.
Players who had won almost everything.
That mixture created an exceptional learning environment.
Learning From Olympic Champions
When Ben first moved to Belgium, being surrounded by some of Belgium’s biggest names was slightly surreal.
Then he realised something important.
They were still normal people.
Welcoming.
Helpful.
Willing to share knowledge.
Rather than protecting what they knew, the experienced players tried to help the next generation improve.
For Ben, training alongside those players became almost like having extra coaches inside the squad.
Finding Your Own Role as a Forward
Belgian hockey also changed how Ben thought about his own game.
When he first arrived, he naturally wanted to get on the ball and make things happen.
Over time, coaches helped him understand that forwards don’t all need to play in the same way.
One might stay wide.
Another may remain high inside the circle.
Another links midfield with attack.
For Ben, clarity around his own role made a major difference.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Players
This leads to one of the best development lessons in the interview.
If another striker is faster than you, there’s little point trying to copy them completely.
If somebody has a better shot, that doesn’t mean you need to become exactly that player.
Understand what you bring.
Then become excellent at it.
For Ben, his role involves scoring goals but also connecting the play between midfield and the forward line.
Once that became clear, his game became easier to understand.
Why Playing Abroad Helps
Five seasons in Belgium have given Ben time to discover how he plays best.
That knowledge then transfers back into international hockey.
The systems may change.
The role might adapt slightly.
But the underlying strengths remain.
That’s one of the major benefits of playing abroad.
Different environments force you to understand your own game more deeply.
Belgian Club Culture
The wider club environment impressed Ben too.
Belgian hockey does an excellent job of turning domestic fixtures into events.
Men’s and women’s first teams are often scheduled one after the other.
Families can arrive for the day.
Children have activities around the pitch.
Supporters see two high-level matches.
And as the season moves towards the playoffs, crowds grow.
Creating a Proper Match-Day Atmosphere
The numbers may not always be enormous.
But the atmosphere often feels bigger than the crowd itself.
That’s important.
Domestic hockey needs supporters to feel that attending a match is worth leaving the house for.
Belgian clubs understand that.
Social media promotion.
Double-headers.
Family activities.
A stronger sense of occasion.
Those details help create a connection between first teams and the wider club community.
What Hockey Stick Does Ben Walker Use?
Ben has used adidas Hockey for almost his entire senior career.
His current stick is the adidas Estro .5.
More importantly, he has used essentially the same stick shape for around eight seasons.
That consistency tells you plenty.
When something works, elite players don’t necessarily feel the need to change it every year.
Why Ben Likes a Heavier Stick
Earlier in his career, Ben preferred an extremely light stick.
Then his coach in Belgium encouraged him to try something heavier.
The reasoning was straightforward.
You quickly adapt to the extra weight.
And the additional mass can help generate more power when striking the ball.
Eventually, Ben became a convert.
He now generally looks for one of the heavier sticks available.
Stick Weight Is Personal
That makes his setup very different from players who chase the lightest possible stick.
And that’s exactly the point.
There is no universal answer.
Some players want a feather-light stick for quick hands.
Others prefer more substance through the hit.
Technique.
Position.
Playing style.
Personal preference.
All of those matter.
Ben’s Grip Setup
Ben has also changed his grip preferences over time.
He previously preferred something very thin.
Now he likes a slightly thicker feel towards the top of the handle.
But he isn’t obsessive about exact specifications.
Once a setup feels comfortable, he adapts and generally keeps it for the season.
Simple.
Repeatable.
Effective.
What Hockey Shoes Does Ben Walker Wear?
Ben also uses the adidas Lux.
He describes it as the best hockey shoe he has worn.
And there’s another important advantage to using adidas as an elite athlete:
everything is available under one brand.
Stick.
Shoes.
Training kit.
Bags.
Running shoes.
Lifestyle clothing.
That means there’s no need to manage several separate sponsorship relationships.
Choosing Between Silver and Pink
There is, however, one serious performance question.
Colour.
Ben had both the silver and pink versions available for the new season.
The choice apparently depends partly on which option looks best with the Ireland kit.
Elite sport is all about fine margins.
Obviously.
Why Ben Has Stayed With adidas
Ben’s relationship with adidas began when he was still a teenager.
Initially, he and several teammates managed to secure discounted equipment.
That eventually became a full sponsorship as he progressed into senior international hockey.
And he never really looked back.
The products suited him.
The support continued.
There was no reason to move.
Paris 2024: A Long-Awaited Major Tournament
Paris was particularly meaningful for Ireland.
Ben points out that the team had endured a significant gap without qualifying for several major tournaments.
No World Cup.
No Europeans.
Then Ireland qualified for the Olympics.
A tournament that is arguably even harder to reach.
That made qualification itself an enormous achievement.
Soaking Up the Olympic Experience
Ireland arrived at the Olympic Village early.
Ben wanted to experience it.
And Paris delivered the full version of the Olympics.
Athletes from every sport.
Packed stands.
Family and friends.
Volunteers.
The Village.
The atmosphere.
For players whose major-tournament opportunities had been limited in previous years, it felt even more special.
Playing in Front of New Hockey Fans
One of the things Ben enjoyed most was the crowd.
Some spectators may never have watched hockey before.
It didn’t matter.
They were there.
They were engaged.
They wanted to enjoy an Olympic event.
That gives the sport a huge opportunity.
Olympic hockey can reach people who would never normally attend a club match or follow an international series.
The Paris Heat
The spectacle came with one fairly serious challenge.
Heat.
Ireland had prepared through previous tournaments in India and additional heat work.
Even then, nothing completely recreates the real thing.
The match against India was particularly brutal.
Temperatures were close to the mid-30s.
Spectators were struggling.
The players were struggling.
Even India were struggling.
That probably tells you everything.
Finishing Paris With a Win
Ireland didn’t progress out of the group.
But they finished with victory over New Zealand.
That mattered.
Several earlier games had been close without producing the result the team wanted.
Finishing with a win gave the tournament a more positive ending.
It also left the players wanting another opportunity.
Why the Olympics Create More Motivation
Ben didn’t leave Paris thinking:
That’s done.
He left thinking:
I want to go back.
Los Angeles 2028 is already in the background.
The immediate objective is the World Cup.
But for international players, Olympic cycles are never completely out of sight.
Every tournament contributes to the next one.
Ireland’s Growing Squad Depth
Ben believes Ireland now have a deeper squad than they did before Paris.
The recent Pro League seasons helped.
Young players received international exposure.
More players entered the national environment.
The broader pathway strengthened.
Now those players are starting to become genuine senior squad members.
That competition is good for everyone.
What Pro League Taught Ireland
The Pro League brought some difficult results.
Ireland were occasionally on the receiving end of heavy defeats.
But those matches still helped.
They faced Belgium.
India.
Argentina.
Other elite nations.
They experienced major stadiums.
They learned the pace required at the highest level.
And younger players gained meaningful caps.
Learning to Play With the Ball
Interestingly, one of Ireland’s biggest challenges came when they had more possession.
Against the world’s strongest teams, Ireland were accustomed to defending and counterattacking.
Against teams closer to them in ranking, suddenly Ireland had to control games.
Build attacks.
Keep possession.
Break teams down.
That required another skill set.
Why the World Cup Qualifier Was So Encouraging
The qualifier showed progress.
Ireland were able to dominate possession.
Control matches.
Create chances.
And still maintain the defensive qualities developed through Pro League competition.
That combination will matter at the World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup Challenge
Ireland’s World Cup group is not exactly gentle.
Australia.
Spain.
South Africa.
Ben’s initial reaction was fairly understandable.
That’s about as difficult as it gets.
But at a World Cup, easy groups barely exist.
If you want to compete at the highest level, eventually you have to face the highest-level teams.
Playing the Best Is the Point
Australia and Spain are elite.
South Africa are dangerous.
And Ireland know they will need to perform.
But Ben also sees opportunity.
They have played close matches against strong teams.
They’ve learned from the Pro League.
They have improved in possession.
And Irish supporters tend to travel.
There is every reason to embrace the challenge.
Why Nations Cup Still Matters Before the World Cup
Although the World Cup is the bigger tournament, Ben doesn’t want to describe Nations Cup simply as preparation.
Ireland want to win it.
But the timing helps.
Five competitive matches.
Pressure.
Relevant opponents.
A chance to reinforce the habits that worked during qualification.
Then the team will have another training block before the World Cup begins.
Life Away From Hockey
For Ben, time off needs to feel genuinely different.
Friends.
Travel.
A beach if possible.
Living in Belgium means he doesn’t see many friends based elsewhere as often as he would like.
A free week therefore becomes valuable.
Not only physically.
Mentally too.
Travelling When Hockey Allows It
The challenge is finding the time.
Elite hockey doesn’t exactly provide long, predictable holidays.
Sometimes it’s a week.
Maybe two.
Ben has still managed trips when possible, including Thailand, Spain and Italy.
The main objective is simple.
Relax.
See friends.
Eat well.
Switch off.
Then come back hungry for hockey again.
Studying While Playing in Belgium
Ben also continued his education alongside elite hockey.
He completed a commerce degree at UCD, with much of the latter period happening online because of COVID.
After moving to Belgium, he began a master’s degree in strategic business management.
He completed it over two years while continuing his hockey career.
Why Studying Alongside Hockey Helps
The academic side gave Ben something else to focus on.
That matters when so much of life revolves around hockey.
Training might happen in the afternoon or evening.
University fills another part of the day.
It creates another challenge.
Another group of people.
Another identity away from sport.
The Study-Abroad Experience
Ben strongly recommends studying abroad if the opportunity exists.
New city.
New people.
New culture.
Different routines.
It mirrors many of the benefits he found through playing hockey abroad.
The only slight issue?
Belgian students are apparently quite fond of going for a beer after lectures.
And elite hockey training tends to interfere with that plan.
Golden Goal Before Shootouts?
When asked what rule he would introduce, Ben makes an interesting suggestion:
bring back golden-goal extra time.
Shootouts are exciting.
But they also create a situation where teams can potentially play towards them, particularly if they have confidence in their goalkeeper.
Ben would like to see a short extra-time period first.
Why Golden Goal Could Improve Knockout Hockey
Imagine five minutes each way.
First goal wins.
Suddenly both teams need to decide:
Attack?
Defend?
Take a risk?
Sit back?
Those moments could produce incredible drama.
If there is still no goal afterwards, then go to the shootout.
For Ben, it would give teams another opportunity to decide the match through hockey before moving to a one-on-one contest.
How Can Hockey Become More Accessible?
Ben believes visibility is one of the biggest answers.
Social media has already helped.
More clips.
More accounts.
More player content.
But he still thinks hockey needs greater broadcast exposure.
Because if young people never see the sport, how are they supposed to become interested in it?
Ben’s First Memory of Watching Hockey on TV
Ben remembers seeing a World Cup on television when he was around 14.
Matches were on throughout the day during the summer.
Argentina vs New Zealand at 11am?
Perfect.
Nothing else to do.
Watch hockey.
That type of exposure matters.
It turns players into names.
Teams become familiar.
And young viewers begin to understand the sport.
What the Hoofdklasse Gets Right
Ben believes the Dutch Hoofdklasse leads the way in domestic visibility.
Regular highlights.
Men’s and women’s matches.
Short packages.
Easy access.
Fans can follow the league even if they aren't physically at the ground.
That familiarity builds interest.
Other leagues are improving.
But there is still room to do much more.
You Can’t Follow What You Can’t See
That might be the simplest message from the interview.
If hockey isn’t visible, it will struggle to grow.
It doesn’t necessarily require every match to be on national television immediately.
Start with highlights.
Clips.
Social content.
Accessible streams.
Give people a reason to recognise the players.
Then give them somewhere to watch.
Players Can Help Too
Ben also encourages supporters to engage with the players.
Come to matches.
Ask for a photo.
Ask for an autograph.
Have a conversation.
International players understand that supporters are making an effort to be there.
For Ben, giving a little of that time back is part of the responsibility.
What Can Hockey Players Learn From Ben Walker?
Ben’s career offers plenty of lessons.
First, understand what your role actually is.
You don’t need to copy the quickest or most spectacular player in the team.
Find what helps the group and become excellent at it.
Second, playing abroad can accelerate development.
Five seasons in Belgium helped Ben understand his game and exposed him to Olympic champions, different coaching styles and a more professional domestic environment.
Third, don’t change equipment just because something new arrives.
Ben has used essentially the same adidas stick shape for around eight seasons.
If it works, consistency has value.
Fourth, use difficult international experiences as education.
The Pro League gave Ireland some painful lessons.
Those lessons helped them become a stronger team when World Cup qualification arrived.
And finally, hockey has to be seen if it wants to grow.
More broadcasts.
More highlights.
More social media.
More accessible club coverage.
The sport already has the players, the stories and the quality.
The next challenge is making sure more people actually get the chance to see them.
Ireland are heading back to the World Cup.
For Ben Walker, the goal now is to make the most of that opportunity — and hopefully inspire a few more people to watch along the way.
Watch the full Inside the Circle interview with Ben Walker to hear more about Ireland’s World Cup qualification, Paris 2024, Belgian hockey, adidas equipment, Nations Cup and life as an international forward.
