We Took Our Hockey Family to the World Cup — Here's What Happened
There are hockey matches, and then there are World Cup matches. Last week, the Hockey Shed family packed our bags and headed to Amsterdam to experience the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup at the iconic Wagener Stadium — and it's safe to say it didn't disappoint.
Harry and Alice, who both play for Deeside Ramblers HC, have grown up around hockey their whole lives. But watching the world's best players up close? That's a different experience entirely.
New Zealand vs Pakistan — The Warm-Up Act That Wasn't
Our first match was New Zealand vs Pakistan, and if we thought this was going to be a gentle introduction to World Cup hockey, we were wrong. The pace, the skill, the noise from the crowd — it was immediately clear this was a different level. Both Harry and Alice were glued to every drag flick and reverse hit, watching the kind of skills they're working on at training being executed at full international speed.
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England vs Netherlands — The One We Came For
Then came the big one. England vs Netherlands at a packed Wagener Stadium is about as good as it gets in international hockey. The atmosphere was electric — Dutch fans in orange filling one end, England supporters making plenty of noise from the other.
Watching England play live gave us a whole new appreciation for the quality in the squad. And for Harry and Alice, seeing players they look up to competing on the world stage was genuinely inspiring.
Spotting Zach Wallace — And His Stick
One player who really caught the eye was Zach Wallace. His movement, his work rate, his ability to read the game — he was outstanding throughout. And yes, we clocked the stick.
Zach plays with the Grays Zach Wallace Hockey Stick — 26/27, his own signature model, and watching it in action at World Cup level is a pretty compelling advert. If you've been on the fence about it, seeing it perform at this level might just make up your mind.
[PHOTO: Zach Wallace in action]
Joep de Mol and the Y1 JDM — Named for a Reason
On the Netherlands side, one player who stood out for us was Joep de Mol. Fluid, creative, and constantly dangerous — he's exactly the kind of player you watch and think that's why people love this sport.
And the stick? The Y1 JDM range — JDM standing for Joep de Mol — was built around his style of play. Watching him use it at World Cup level is a reminder of what these sticks were designed for. We stock both the Y1 JDM 90 and the Y1 JDM 60 — and after seeing de Mol in action, demand might be about to spike.
Meeting the England Players
The moment that made the whole trip for Harry and Alice? After the match, we got the chance to meet some of the England players pitchside. For two kids who pull on their Deeside Ramblers kit every weekend and dream of playing at the highest level, shaking hands with international players and seeing how approachable and generous they were with their time was something they won't forget.
That's what hockey is about. The community, the inspiration, the shared love of the game — from grassroots club hockey in North Wales to the World Cup stage in Amsterdam.
The Hockey Shed — A Family Business, For Hockey Families
The Hockey Shed started because we're a hockey family. We know what it's like to be on the sidelines in the rain, to drive to early morning training, to watch your kids fall in love with a sport. Trips like this remind us exactly why we do what we do.
If the World Cup has inspired your junior player — or you — to upgrade their kit, we're here to help. Browse our full range of hockey sticks, footwear, and accessories, or use our Hockey Stick Finder to find the right stick for your game.
See you on the pitch.
— The Hockey Shed Family