Nicolas Van Goethem

"It never gets easier, you get better every time."

Meet Nicolas Van Goethem

Team: KHC Leuven, Heren 1 and U19
Position: Midfielder
Stick: Pro Tour 100 2.0 / Pro Bow

Favorite Osaka products:

• Osaka Hockey Tekko Glove – Iconic Black
• Osaka Hockey Shinguard – Iconic Black
• Osaka Footwear IDO Mk1 – Iconic White
• Osaka Hockey Mouth Guard Comfort – No Color
• Osaka Backpack Pro Tour Medium – Iconic Black
• Osaka Soft Touch Grip 2.0 – Perforated, White

"I owe everything to my mom. She saw from the beginning that I was going to be a hockey player. My first year, when I was 4, was a difficult year and my mom helped me through it. I didn't know what sport suited me, but she did."

Inspiration

"I don't have specifically one person who inspires me. I am inspired by the players around me that I play with. You're never going to be able to achieve everything you want on your own. By observing other players, you improve yourself."

What the Game Means to Him

"It may sound a little ridiculous, but field hockey is my life. I never thought a sport could have such an impact on me. Field hockey makes me even happier. It also helps me when I have a hard time sometimes — I step on the field and I forget everything around me."

Representing His Country

"One word: proud. Before the game starts and I sing the national anthem, a lot of energy flows through me. From that moment on, you know what you have worked and sacrificed all these years for. It's a feeling you can't describe. You have to experience it."

Rituals and Routine

"Before I enter the field, I make sure I'm wearing everything from Osaka — not doing so is the worst thing you can do before a game. After the game, that's allowed, but before the game I am completely focused on my game and nothing else. When the whistle sounds, I kiss my Osaka sweatband and it brings me luck."

On a typical day: "Unfortunately, a normal day in my life is an ordinary school day — which is kind of normal, because I'm 16 years old. But I try to get up every day with a smile and enjoy going to school. That second thing doesn't always work out, but I try. After a school day, you are often tired, so I eat nutritious meals at school. Every day besides Wednesday, I have field hockey practice in the evening and then I want to be at my best."

What Makes Him Happy

"Field hockey makes me happy. But my friends, family and my girlfriend are most important to me. These people help me through good times and bad times. Especially my parents — they know me the best. That's why having respect for your parents is super important."

Outside of hockey, he plays piano for 15 minutes a day to relax, runs at least twice a week, goes to the gym regularly, and cycles with friends. "I enjoy doing all sports immensely, but field hockey remains the most fun. Sometimes I also play padel — one tip I can give you if you go paddling: buy your padel racket at Osaka."

Staying on Top of His Game

"Field hockey is not only performing on the field, but also off the field. When I get home I stretch so I prevent injuries. In terms of nutrition, I try to eat as healthy as possible, because eating healthy is one of the most important things you can do. I also try not to go to sleep too late, because a good night's sleep is important so your body can rest and recover."

"At home, I am also analyzing myself. I review games of myself and pick out the bad but also the good actions, and then analyze them. At home in our kitchen, we also have several cards with a different motivational quote on each one. Every day I draw a new card with a new quote, and it helps to stay mentally strong."

Looking Ahead

"My end goal is to make it to the Olympic Games. But before I reach that, I have to take a few steps back. Currently I am in the U18 national team. My next goal is to make it to the U21 national team (Young Red Lions) and then hopefully the Red Lions."

"As an athlete, I also want to help young players achieve their dreams."

On where the sport is headed: "What I have noticed over the past few years is that field hockey has become much more popular than before. The level has also gone up, and I hope that this upward trend will continue."

The Osaka Partnership

"I am honored to be an ambassador for Osaka. Osaka is known worldwide in field hockey and I am sure it will continue to be so. Ever since I was a little boy I played with Osaka. It was a dream for me to be sponsored by Osaka — I guess I'm not the only one with that dream, but I was lucky that it worked out for me. I am so grateful for that. Team Osaka is a top team. My only goal is to spread Osaka even harder and give young players a taste of all the Osaka products and be able to shine on the field with them."

"I am 16 years old, so hopefully I have a long career waiting for me. But so far Osaka has helped me a lot, especially in terms of motivation and self-confidence. Self-confidence is something you have to create yourself, but it also comes from what is happening around you. They are always ready when I need them. Because of them, I can go to any game or training session fully prepared."

"Osaka was my dream brand — a dream that came true. I also knew of myself that I was going to be loyal to Osaka, and that I was going to be able to inspire other players. I can say with pride that I succeeded. It's also always nice to be able to have a team behind you, supporting you at all times, and in my case, that's Osaka."

Advice and Legacy

"Never give up. No matter what situation you are in. Often a career stops because you don't see it anymore, or because you get stressed and don't like it anymore. But everyone has been in that situation, including me. At times like that you really have to fight and continue. Think of all the great moments you experienced with field hockey. Think back to the moment you held a stick in your hands for the first time. Think back to why you started playing field hockey and are still doing it today. Just never give up, and go for it."

To his younger self: "That I am super proud and I am so glad I started playing field hockey. This sport has brought me into a social and healthy life. I would say to myself that there are many fun moments coming up, but also many stressful and demotivating moments coming up — but that I'm going to get through it. In the end, I'm the one who has to make everything happen. You can't trust others too much. You can only trust 100% in yourself."

"Be happy in what you do. Never do something you don't like to do — not only in field hockey, but also in everyday life. If you ever have any problems or want to talk about something that is bothering you in field hockey, send me a message on Instagram and I will be there for you."

"Live your sport, live Osaka…"