Elite athletes will follow a Master program to be prepared to participate in the professionalization of the sport industry, in accordance with the ideas of Johan Cruyff
Three athletes have been given the chance to follow a Master program thanks to scholarships offered by Unilever and Telesport. Due to the initiative, they will be well prepared to participate in the professionalization of the sport industry, in accordance with the ideas of Johan Cruyff
Cyclist Vera Koedooder (Unilever) and speed skaters Margot Boer and Wouter Olde Heuvel (both Telesport) started a Master program at Johan Cruyff Institute Amsterdam on September 7. Vera and Margot are studying the Master in Sport Management and Wouter has started the Master in Coaching.
The two companies share the mission of Johan Cruyff Institute to educate (ex-)athletes to work in the sport industry, based on the wishes of Johan Cruyff who said: “I believe that athletes have the right skills to become successful after their career. They have a sports heart and special qualities, like discipline and focus. These qualities are also important to improve the sport industry, but they have to study hard and combine their passion with new knowledge and skills. After completing this Master, they will be well prepared to become the next generation of leaders in sport management.”
Vera Koedooder (middle) at a team pursuit race
Cyclist Vera Koedooder says about her expectations of the program: “Sport is my passion and I would like to work in the world of sport combining this knowledge with my experiences from my long sports career. I expect to create a good network and that the Master in Sport Management will give me the knowledge I can use in potential jobs in the future.”
Vera is the Dutch record holder in the 3000m team pursuit and won the Dutch Track Cycling Championships in 2015. Margot won bronze during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi in the 500m and 100m, and Wouter won the World Cup in 2015 and gold in the team pursuit during the 2008 and 2009 World Championships. They are following in the footsteps of other well-known athletes like Edith Bosch (judo), Esther Vergeer (wheelchair tennis) and Edwin van der Sar (football), who were able to study at Johan Cruyff Institute thanks to scholarships.
Related study programs
Johan Cruyff Institute Amsterdam uses a rich learning environment that fosters educational tools based on a student interaction model. We aim for a mix of students from sports and business sectors, which also enables students to share their unique experiences and learn from each other. Through ‘Cruyffian’ teaching methods the students will engage actively in creative challenges that require effort, commitment and intuitive thinking. Visit these web pages to find out more about our programs related to sport & event management:
- Master in Coaching – English edition (Start: May 2017)
- Master in Sport Management (Start: September 2017)
