A fourteenth school anniversary? That may sound a bit strange, but not when the training is named after the legendary number fourteen, Johan Cruijff. In 2008 the football legend opened the Johan Cruyff College in Roosendaal. Since then, the school has had an impressive honors list of graduated top athletes.
Unfortunately, Cruijff can no longer experience the anniversary. He passed away in 2016, but his energy is still omnipresent at the school in Roosendaal. “I learned from Johan that you have to think in terms of possibilities, that you sometimes have to be stubborn to help a student when you really can’t. That is the typical Cruijffian of here,” says director Herman Kruis.
Johan Cruyff College is part of Curio educational institution. Young talents follow a full-fledged MBO training that is adapted to their top sport program. Former professional cyclist Moreno Hofland (30) from Roosendaal studied commercial economics there. He has good memories of his school days.
“I did my studies here and I was also able to get the most out of my career. That would have been a lot more difficult on a regular training course. You notice that people here are super disciplined and competitive. These are qualities in which you find each other and also help”, says Moreno.
The former rider has met Johan Cruijff twice during his school days. “The way he was able to explain things was incredibly inspiring and motivating.” “Cruijff was always very involved with the students. He had nothing to do with bobo’s”, director Herman adds.
Top karateka Ruby Goedhart (17) from Dordrecht is one of the 180 current students. “People always think it’s special when I say I’m at Johan Cruyff College. I think it’s very cool myself. I didn’t know much about Johan Cruijff in the past, but now of course I do. After that, I want to do another course in physiotherapy.”
It is precisely the combination of social and sports careers that is important, according to director Herman Kruis. “It is not given to everyone to reach the top. Only ten percent succeed in this. But the road there is also incredibly valuable for the rest of your life.”
The former national coach of the Dutch women’s hockey team has been associated with the training since the start. “I think this concept will last for a very long time. We are still developing it further. We now also have twelve students abroad.”
Handball player Niels Versteijnen of the Dutch team, for example. But also basketball star Carlice Poelstra who plays in Germany. ”We try to provide as much customization as possible and with modern education that is possible.”
Herman (66) could actually enjoy his retirement, but postpone it for a while. “I think another two years. Helping young ambitious people with a dream further is an amazing thing to do. That is also the philosophy of Johan Cruijff.”