The Belgian Hockey field in Antwerp, Belgium, was littered with Jamaican colours on 4th June 2011 when it hosted the International Hockey Tournament under the theme "The Power of Diversity". Even though the Jamaican Hockey Team did not participate in the Tournament, Jamaica was represented by two Belgian Teams - a Boy's Team and a Girls' Team called the Watducks from the Waterloo Hockey Club in Brussels - in a symbolic gesture of cooperation and friendship between Jamaica and Belgium in the area of sports.
The two Belgian Teams did Jamaica proud as they truly represented the competitive spirit of Jamaica and were the crowd's favourite. In the final matches at the Tournament, the Girls' Team came second by a single goal out of a total of fourteen teams and the Boys' Team third out of a total of eight.
The D'Hooghe family, a member of the Jamaican Diaspora in Belgium, played an instrumental role in identifying and coaching the young players as well as securing outfits in the Jamaican colours for the teams.
The Ambassador of Jamaica to Belgium, Her Excellency Marcia Gilbert-Roberts, was among the Jamaicas who cheered on the Watducks. Other members of the Jamaican community in Belgium also supported the event.
Embassy of Jamaica
Brussels, Belgium
