Make noise for the gamechangers

“Talent is everywhere, but it isn’t always recognised”

European champion, world champion and Olympic champion - Red Lion Victor Wegnez has enjoyed a remarkable career at the very top of international hockey. But he knows better than most that success often has another side. Growing up in Molenbeek, Victor experienced poverty and domestic violence firsthand. Through determination, resilience and the opportunities hockey gave him, he refused to let stereotypes define his future.

Breaking down stereotypes

“We ate spaghetti bolognese four times a week,” Victor recalls. “Not because we loved it so much, but because it was the cheapest option.” Money was tight. A new pair of hockey shoes was out of reach. A hockey stick wasn't an option either. “Luckily, I won one during a hockey camp. My mom couldn’t believe it, a stick she didn’t have to pay for.” Small moments like these made a real difference. “The day I made it into the first team, I no longer had to pay my membership fees. That was a huge relief for my mom.” 

“But poverty is about much more than money. The environment you grow up in plays an equally important role. I grew up in Molenbeek with my two brothers. People have a lot of preconceived ideas about the neighbourhood, as if it’s some kind of ghetto. For my club, Royal Daring Molenbeek, it was almost impossible to attract new players because of that negative image.”

“People growing up in poverty often have to work harder and constantly push back against other people’s assumptions. I was fortunate in one respect: I’m white and blond. Because of that, I wasn’t stopped by the police for no reason, unlike many of my friends from the neighbourhood.”

Moving forward with determination

“As a child, I never saw myself as disadvantaged. We didn’t have much, but I did have the opportunity to play hockey. My club quickly became a safe haven for me. I wanted to spend as little time at home as possible because my father could be very aggressive. Eventually, he left us for another woman. My mother was left to raise three boys on her own with a very modest income. For me, that situation became an extra source of motivation to always give my very best. The things many children learn from their father, I had to teach myself. Nothing was handed to me.”

“It wasn’t until I got older that I realised I had grown up with fewer opportunities than others. At that point, I believe you have two choices: you can withdraw and get stuck in a vicious cycle, or you can do everything in your power to make your dreams a reality. I was determined to choose the second path. I wasn’t the most talented player, but I worked tirelessly to get where I am today. Without the challenges I faced growing up, I might never have developed the fighting spirit that defines me, and I may never have become the player I am today.”