In order to bring OSF participants to the attention, OSF highlights an OSF participant twice a month via its online channels. Holland Football University is a football management agency that trains players and trainers, the focus is on the Dutch Total Football Strategy. We spoke with Mary Kok-Willemsen.
Brief introduction about Holland Football University?
Holland Football University is a football management agency that offers professional training for players, trainers and management based on the Dutch Total Football Strategy.
We always do this in combination with the strong and specific points of the international partner. We try to teach players and trainers not only the Dutch football values, but also retain and accentuate their own unique qualities.
We offer short courses starting from 9 days, but especially the football infrastructure projects offer a unique opportunity for our international customers. Realizing professional academies, offering complete study programs combined with professional football or coach training are unique in the Netherlands. We develop professional, innovative academies for boys and girls that will be run by local professionals in 3 years.
What is the purpose of Holland Football University abroad?
We want to give talented, ambitious players and trainers the opportunity to develop in the most professional way possible. This often starts with learning a professional perception framework. What is my talent and what does it mean when I want to act and develop at the level of a professional. What does this look like and which strategy should I follow in order to be able to develop as well as possible.
We offer professional support tools in the country of origin or in the Netherlands where players and trainers can develop optimally in a top sport climate.
Because we help players and trainers to develop their potential, we offer them perspective. A professional perspective ensures that potentials also want to develop. You can’t see what you can’t see.
Therefore we must develop the right role models that can take responsibility locally for a wider development. That means that the programs that Holland Football University offers are always for girls and boys, for men and women! One of our characteristics is that our programs are sustainable because investments are made in the training of local coaches and management. The academies must be able to be run by local coaching and management talent after an intensive three-year program.
Can you give some concrete examples of successful projects in the Netherlands or abroad?
We have been working with the Norwegian Football Association for two years, where we develop coaching courses for all levels. These are short, recurring course moments. Our tailor-made coaches programs are also attractive because individual coaches are helped in their development in 9-day to 3-month programs.
The most important successful program are our international exchange programs. Players worldwide come to the Netherlands for a program that lasts a semester and train and play simultaneously at the highest possible level. During your stay you will see important places in Europe, train on a professional level five times a week, play competitions AND follow the courses that you find interesting so that you continue your studies at the same level.
What we end up with is a mix of different international students, with one thing in common: passion for football and studying. For some, this is an introduction to professional football in Europe. During the program you will have five months to convince the scouts for a contract after your study.
Why did you become a member of OSF?
The power of OSF lies in the characteristic compact structure of knowledge, innovation and sport. By jointly providing a complete pallet of expert services to ensure a total solution. Purchasing incidental expertise often results in not changing a mindset. Through an overall vision, you do not develop an individual but primarily a sports culture
What can you do for other OSF members and what can OSF members do for you?
For hardware suppliers, I hope to provide a good addition by focusing on the users (players, coaches and management). The difference between us and other product suppliers is that we ensure that the field, smartgoals or stadium is brought to life by the activities that are held there. If, in addition to delivering a field, you can also offer a partnership at the same time in which you also create an academy, your product will become tangible and priceless. They build football stadiums, we build football careers.
On the other hand, I hope that the partners within OSF think of Holland Football University as a party that can help them create goodwill with their partners. It would be nice if you gave your current partner a promotional gift by realizing a training camp or even academy (with the Dutch company as name giver). The whole world is crazy about football, perhaps the most beautiful marketing action that really brings you into the hearts and minds.
