To the great surprise of the Belgian volleyball community, HVC Helchteren’s women’s team has surged into the top two of National Division 1, the league just below the Liga. And they are doing so among ambitious contenders such as Darta Bevo Roeselare B, Stalvoc Beverlo, Grinta Lint, Limal Ottignies, and Vamos Stekene–St.-Gillis-Waas. The battle for promotion has begun. High time to take the pulse of Helchteren.

We organized an interview with club president Marc Daniëls, who is also secretary general of the provincial VV branch Volley Limburg. Head coach Pascal Gora joined as well. We asked him additional questions, particularly about the contribution of his partner Tara Daerden, who suffered a devastating injury in Sweden in 2020. The commitment of key attacker Lore Gillis, the indispensable former Yellow Tiger, was also discussed.

Who and what does Helchteren stand for? Geographically, the club is located in the heart of Limburg, centrally positioned on the north-south axis and a natural partner of neighboring Houthalen following the enforced municipal merger in 1977. Thus Houthalen-Helchteren was born, a community of 30,000 inhabitants. Only later, in 2000, did the volleyball clubs HVS Houthalen (men) and HVC Helchteren (women) merge. In 2005, Marc Daniëls assumed the presidency of the merged club. Only the energetic women’s team survived—and now wants to write a new chapter. With a capital P: promotion. Again. This time to the Liga. Excuse me?

Yes, indeed. Since 2021, HVC has clearly shifted into a higher gear. Driven by a favorable wind?
Marc Daniëls (M.D.):
“HVC has long aimed to move upward, very gradually. In 2015 we were promoted from Limburg Promo 1 to National 3. Seven years later, in 2022, we moved up to National 2. Last season we suddenly finished first in spectacular fashion: 22 consecutive wins, undefeated champions, only six sets lost. Absolute euphoria. Perhaps a year ahead of schedule, but so be it. We immediately proved that we can perform at that higher level. A jump to the Liga, with two consecutive promotions, would be unprecedented. And it would be a great boost for women’s volleyball in Limburg, which would finally have a club back among Belgium’s top twelve.”

Pascal Gora (P.G.), recently promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Belgian army:
“Our performances in the Limburg Cup also stood out. In our first season with Jurgen Holtof as assistant coach, we reached the final against Datovoc Tongeren (2–3). Last year we took our revenge with a 3–1 win. This season again sparkles with many highlights. In National 1, the high number of five-set matches is striking—a sign that the level is becoming more balanced. Our well-thought-out transfer policy paid off with the arrivals of Ghislaine Smeets, Lore Gillis, Noa Peeters, Elise Baert, and Nina Bussé.”

All of this thanks to a clear board vision?
M.D.:
“Exactly. From our solid foundations, we aimed to improve results every year. Sporting manager Kurt Vranken has been a tremendous asset, as has board member Erik Ceyssens, a key figure in our sporting committee. Our other board members show maximum commitment on logistical, social, and financial levels. We benefit from strong networking and long-term sponsors. Our greatest strength: a deal is a deal. We strictly honor our commitments, which builds trust.”

What about the facilities—are they approved for Liga level?
M.D. & P.G.:
“The municipal sports hall in Helchteren is beautiful and spacious, but unfortunately not high enough. However, it is an inherent part of our identity. We will soon have a video call with Marie De Clerck, CEO of the Liga, regarding possible sporting exemptions and transitional measures. We will wait for that discussion before making bold statements.”

We spoke with Genk-based head coach Pascal Gora about his partner from Hasselt, Tara Daerden (36). Pascal, how is she doing today?
P.G.:
“Tara has given me freedom of speech, so I can talk about it. She prefers not to anymore. She still struggles with everything she went through. Yet she enjoyed many great years: national titles with Datovoc Tongeren, Limburg Cup victories with, among others, Mavo Dilsen-Stokkem (where I was her coach), and pre-selections for the Yellow Tigers.

Above all, Tara is an extremely intelligent woman: she holds a degree in industrial engineering in biochemistry, a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from UHasselt and an additional D-license. She now works at the sports department of the city of Genk.”

After her successful career in Belgium, she could start a European journey in 2018. Everything seemed possible… until fate intervened?
P.G.:
“Yes. She transferred to Gislaved in Sweden, about an hour from Gothenburg, perfect for a Scandinavian enthusiast. After one season, she moved to IBSA CV Palmas and CV Madrid, where she was confronted with the Covid-19 crisis and a complete competition shutdown.
In the 2020-2021 season she returned to Gislaved. But on 12 December 2020, during an away match in Örebro, four hours by bus and far from home, disaster struck.

A dreadful injury: a ruptured Achilles tendon, torn and irregular. Truly dramatic. Surgery required an incision of nearly half a metre, from heel to the back of the knee, closed with dozens of stitches. Terrible. The physical and mental strain was enormous… could Tara ever return to the top?
She had to rehabilitate for almost two years, full of doubt and constant pain. In 2022, the worst seemed over, thanks to the support of her excellent physiotherapist from Bilzen. She tried again with KRC Genk and with us in Helchteren, but playing volleyball with two legs that felt completely different and out of balance was not sustainable. She had to stop.

Fortunately, she now serves as a confidant and key contact for our first team. She supports the group, acts as a connector, and joins me once a week at training. She has shifted her personal challenges to evening Spanish classes (after successfully learning Swedish) and, very intensively, horse riding at Woutershof stables in Alken.”

Tara still plays an important role off the court. A positive development. How significant is the impact of former Yellow Tiger Lore Gillis (37)?
M.D.:
“Her vast experience is invaluable. Lore played for Bree, Hechtel, Tongeren, VDK Gent, Oudegem, Jaraco As and Ladies Volley Limburg, with highlights in European competitions such as the CEV and Challenge Cup. She also featured in the European Golden League and the FIVB World League.

She made her Yellow Tigers debut at the 2007 European Championship in Hasselt. The absolute peak was the bronze medal at Euro 2013 in Berlin, followed by the Final Six in Tokyo in 2014. In 2022, she took a break to start a family. What makes her exceptional is that she has experienced everything and remains hugely motivated. She lifts HVC to a higher level, leads the group and makes the difference in crunch time. Hats off. We sincerely hope she stays. Without Lore, we would lose our key leader.”

Lore is therefore crucial in the Liga to inspire the younger players?
P.G.:
“Absolutely. Alongside the new signings, our team is anchored by young talent: libero Lotte Pareyn (2008), captain Celine Reijmen (2000), Jella Mentens (2000), Noor Janssen (2004), Jess Daniëls (2007) and the twins from Lummen, Marie (2004) and Emma Meynckens (2004), sisters of Laura, who excels at Thuismakers Brabo Antwerp VT.”

The Liga format aims for twelve teams, one more than this season, with no relegation. Will you take that twelfth spot?
M.D. and P.G. together:
“We are awaiting contact with CEO Marie De Clerck. The ambition to move up is there. That would mean increasing from two to three training sessions per week. At the same time, we want to build sustainably, without reckless decisions.
Darta Roeselare B could become champions but cannot be promoted due to their A team. The runner-up is not obliged to move up. Will we seize the momentum if it arises? Possibly, because in the current context we can compete with Liga teams such as Ghent, Geel, Michelbeke and Zoersel.

What matters most is that every club member, at every level, gets optimal opportunities. The club pyramid must remain balanced, for the benefit of our senior teams, youth squads and VKS teams.”

Lore Gillis had the final word. Will she extend her stay?
Lore: “I still love playing volleyball. HVC is only fifteen minutes from my home. My husband works in Switzerland during the week, but I receive great support from my parents and babysitters for our children, Finn (8) and Nora (3). My family always comes first.
The season is still long, we are second and many things can change. My decision will depend on maintaining the right balance between sport, family and my job as a volleyball teacher at the Topvolley Academy Mosa-RT Maaseik-Kinrooi. It’s a very busy life, so everything has to remain manageable.”

Text: LP
Photos: HVC Helchteren