The BeNe Conference will be held in Leuven for the very first time on Saturday and it will be an exciting reunion. Liam McCluskey, the only Belgian in Dutch employment, will return with Orion Stars Doetinchem to open the first edition of this cross-border competition in the Sportoase.
Three seasons ago, the Zonhoven native left Maaseik in search of playing opportunities, but he had to deal with injuries in the Netherlands. In any case, the technically skilled setter is almost fully fit again and ready to compete with the Belgian teams. But what does he expect from this new competition? And how does he rate the Belgian and Dutch teams? Is a return perhaps beckoning? Volleymagazine investigated.

Three years ago, Liam McCluskey opted for an adventure in the Netherlands, a conscious step to further develop himself as a playmaker. But what was supposed to be a sporting leap forward turned into a course full of obstacles. Stubborn knee injuries kept him out for a long time and while his former club Maaseik struggled with its own setter problems, he had to watch from Doetinchem – in the heart of the so-called Achterhoek. Now the still only 23-year-old Zonhovenaar is back on level, just in time for a unique first: the BeNe Conference.

Apparently the last Belgian to precede you in the Dutch Eredivisie was corner player Jimmy Prenen. There is a similarity, by the way, because he also left Maaseik, but played for competitor Dynamo Apeldoorn from 2007 to 2009.

Liam McCluskey: “Funny and at the same time a bit strange. I didn't know that Jimmy was the last Belgian before me. But I recently did some research, which made it clear that it must have been about 20 years ago.”

Do you remember your first thoughts when you heard about the BeNe Conference?

“Honestly? 'Oh, then I get to go back to Maaseik.' (laughs) That was really my first reflex. I would have liked to play there again to show what I'm worth. But anyway, Maaseik is not there. Too bad, because as a club that name is of course attractive. Our team manager also immediately said: 'Too bad Maaseik is not there, they always sell the posters.' But that's just how the competition went. Who would have thought that Antwerp would make sure that Menen wouldn't be there. It says a lot about the level in Belgium."

Entre-temps, before passing through the seasons of the Pays-Bas and during the ensemble during the summer, in De Achterhoek. Quel regard portez-vous sur ce choix ?

« You know how to make a difference in your career for a fair deux and avant. In Maaseik, you have a great talent, but you are not alone in seeing the occasions. Je voulais jouer, me développer. And besides, young people, it's normal, it's not pas? Aux Pays-Bas, j'ai eu cette chance, même si des injuries sont venues perturber les choses. L'année dernière a été difficile. During the long term, it is indisponible, during an important operation, and during the recovery of zero. Aujourd'hui, je retrouve peu à peu la forme. The BeNe Cup against Roulers and the beginning of the first test. If the score was 3-1, the match ended with a set. Personne ne s'attendait à cela.

Not to mention a grand surprise, even more impressive than to impose on the deux premiers sets. What is the difference between the level between Belgium and the Pays-Bas?

“In Belgium, there is a strong idea that we are doing development aid for the Netherlands. (laughs) I understand that in itself. Roeselare and Maaseik have set the tone for years. But now let the Belgian clubs come to the Netherlands. Then we will see how big the difference really is. About five years ago, the level here was a lot lower, but the Netherlands has made enormous steps. Then you had Lycurgus from Groningen, Dynamo from Apeldoorn and us, Orion from Doetinchem as leading clubs. Outside of that, there was little. Now there are five teams that can really compete. Clubs like Limax and Huizen are making serious progress.”

What about the number of professionals in the Netherlands? Often an indicator of the way in which a club is developing.

“At Orion we have eight full-time professionals. Our infrastructure is top and everything is arranged correctly. Transport, payments, housing, peripheral matters… That is not always so obvious in Belgium. In terms of basic organisation, the Netherlands is further ahead than Belgium and that will translate into better performances in the coming years, I am sure of that. I will give an example: in Maaseik, for example, I had a car, but I had to pay for my petrol myself, just like the internet in my apartment. At Orion, everything is arranged tip top, with a hot meal every day.”

You were champions last season and finished second in the regular competition in the Netherlands this season. How good do you think your chances are against the Belgian teams?

“I have the feeling that we can do something against any team. Just like Lycurgus, by the way, who may be a bit above the rest in the Eredivisie this season. But realistically speaking, it will be difficult in Roeselare anyway. I think that Lycurgus, Orion and Dynamo are at the level of Aalst and Haasrode Leuven.

When I look at our own team, we have an experienced core with players who have already played internationally. Only, we have been inconsistent this season. We were in the lead for a long time, but after New Year we suffered a few stupid defeats. That cost us a lot of points. But if we peak at the right moment, I can see us pulling off a stunt.”

Is the BeNe Conference a good thing for volleyball in the Low Countries?

“We’ll have to wait and see, but my gut feeling says yes. As a volleyball world, we have to dare to think bigger. In the Netherlands, the thought still exists: why would I go to Belgium? Thanks to the BeNe Conference, they can now see that we also have great matches and strong matches. And for Belgium, it might also be a wake-up call. Everyone thinks that the Belgian teams will win this easily, but I know that we have teams in the Netherlands that can really hurt them. That’s what makes it exciting.”

Will Belgian volleyball lift the Dutch to a higher level?

“Partly yes. Clubs like Roeselare and Aalst bring a certain standard. But it also helps the other way around. In the Netherlands, clubs are simply better organised. Look at Lycurgus, for example. They play in the Martiniplaza, an arena with 8,000 seats. If there’s a top match there, that hall is packed. That atmosphere makes a difference. If the Belgian teams come to visit there, they’ll see that they won’t just push us aside.”

Too bad their main sponsor, Nova Tech, went bankrupt. This season it wouldn’t make a difference, but next season it would mean 1 to 1.5 million euros less sponsorship income. Too bad, because from what we heard, Lycurgus had the same operating budget as Roeselare.

“That is indeed a shame, especially because they had really invested heavily: a setter from Slovenia, corner players from the Czech Republic and Portugal, a middle player from Finland… And Stijn Van Schie on the opposite, they still know him in Ghent and Roeselare. We can only hope for the future of Lycurgus, the Dutch competition and the BeNe Conference that a big new name will come up soon.”

Speaking of new names: Which players from the Eredivisie should we definitely keep an eye on according to you?

“There are certainly some interesting players around. With us, Orion Stars, you should definitely keep an eye on Tom Godt. He is an explosive corner attacker who made great strides last year, helped win the championship and experienced the VNL campaign with the national team. This season he confirms himself again and is an important asset in our attack. Dynamo has a young, dynamic team, but their strength lies mainly in their playmaker Freek de Weijer and opposite Sjors Tijhuis. De Weijer has a lot of experience, is technically very strong and knows how to position his attackers. If those two find each other, they form a very strong tandem. Dynamo may not be the dominant team of a few years ago, but don't underestimate them.”

Where do you hope to end up with Orion in this BeNe Conference?

"I would like to come second, but I don't know if that is realistic. It also depends on how we deal with the trips. Roeselare will still be the favorite, but I hope that we can show against the Belgian teams that we are really there."

Your contract is up after this season. Do you see yourself returning to Belgium?

“I don’t rule it out, but I want to see what options there are first. I want to keep challenging myself and maybe also discover Europe. But if an interesting Belgian project comes my way, who knows?”

And the Red Dragons? Do you still have ambitions for the national team?

“I remain realistic about that. There are many strong playmakers such as Stijn D'Hulst and I haven’t yet secured my place. But I feel physically better and better and if I can show what I’m worth in the BeNe Conference, why not?”

On Saturday you will be playing against Hendrik Tuerlinckx’s Haasrode Leuven in Leuven. A special moment?

“Certainly. I know many of the Leuven players well. It is an atypical team with fast and beautiful volleyball. They are also technically strong. I know Sportoase, but I have only played against VHL in the small hall in Haasrode. Look, for us this is a perfect test to immediately show where we stand. We are opening the very first BeNe Conference, so it will definitely be a special match. And for me it is also just fun to play in Belgium again. I am really looking forward to it.”

Text: Kenny Hennens

Photos: archive and Orion