Jean Van Der Straeten was a defensive mainstay on the Royal Léopold Field Hockey Club for many years, first appearing with the team in early 1927. Named to the 1928 Olympic team, he appeared in all five of Belgium’s matches, helping the team to a fourth place finish with three wins and two losses. Van Der Straeten continued to play for the Royal Léopold team until the early 1930s, also appearing internationally for Belgium on a few other occasions. A noted winter sports enthusiast, Van Der Straeten reportedly quit field hockey in early 1931 in order to focus on winter sports.