On Thursday, December 3, the first Cruyff Education Hub was inaugurated in the city of Heerenveen (The Netherlands). It is an innovative space located in Cunabula, the elite sport facility with living spaces and services next to the Thialf stadium, where speed skating and ice hockey competitions take place.
The Cruyff Education Hub aims to offer tailor-made programmes with flexible options for learning and training. It will also support lifelong learning, organise events and symposia, and expand both the physical and digital presence of Cruyff Education. The goal is for athletes and sport professionals to benefit from high-quality education and coaching, regardless of their location.
Douwe de Vries, Céline van Gerner and Melissa Wijfje at the inauguration of the first Cruyff Education Hub. Photo credit: Anke Dijkstra
Several representatives of the regional sport ecosystem and Cruyff Education attended the inauguration, including lecturers and managers. In addition, three Cruyff Alumni participated as special guests:
- Douwe de Vries, alumnus of the Master in Sport Management and current Manager at Sven Kramer Academy
- Céline van Gerner, alumna of the Master in Coaching and current Project Manager at Sportservice Flevoland
- Melissa Wijfje, speed skater and graduate of Johan Cruyff Academy Groningen
A strategic location in the sporting heart of the Netherlands
Carole Thate, CEO of World of Johan Cruyff and interim Director at Cruyff Education
Carole Thate, CEO of World of Johan Cruyff and interim Director at Cruyff Education, highlighted the importance of the location: “Heerenveen is a true sports city, with a vibrant and highly developed ecosystem. That is why we are proud to be here with Cruyff Education”. She also explained how the Hub will operate: “We envision this Cruyff Education Hub as an open and inspiring space where ambitious talents and experienced professionals can meet to exchange knowledge and ideas, create opportunities for personal and professional growth, and jointly contribute to the advancement of the sports sector”.
A new experience for student-athletes
Kees Rozema, team manager at Johan Cruyff Academy Groningen, explained how the Hub will enhance the student experience: “Many of the elite athletes who study with us —such as our speed skaters— live and train right here in Heerenveen. For their development, both on the ice and in their sports marketing studies, having a dedicated space for in-person learning makes a major difference. It is much more effective and inspiring than doing all the tutoring online”.
What makes the Cruyff Education Hub unique
The Cruyff Education Hub project is inspired by the philosophy and values of Cruyff Education. Its purpose is to offer athletes, educational institutions and sport professionals a place to study, teach and network.
Cruyff Education, based on Johan Cruyff’s academic legacy, includes Johan Cruyff College (vocational education for elite athletes), Johan Cruyff Academy (higher education for elite athletes) and Johan Cruyff Institute (postgraduate and executive education). Its core features include:
- Holistic development (the “Cruyff mindset”): education focuses on the person as a whole. Physical performance is complemented by mental development, character, intelligence and other dimensions beyond direct sporting results.
- Collaboration and connection: the hubs bring together professionals and organisations to foster innovation, academic support and knowledge exchange, while facilitating networking.
- Continuous and flexible learning: elite athletes and sport professionals access adaptable education that allows them to combine training and study while developing professional skills at every stage of their career.
- Social impact and empowerment: aligned with Johan Cruyff’s social vision, participants are encouraged to create lasting positive impact in their communities.
More information: www.cruyffeducation.nl