Students of the Johan Cruyff Institute enjoyed their study trip to Amsterdam

Students from the different academic programs of the Johan Cruyff Institute enjoyed their study trip to Amsterdam combining classes, visits, networking opportunities and leisure time in 3 exciting days

Below you can find a testimony of their journey:

Day 1. KNVB

There couldn’t be a better start to the Study Trip 2019 than visiting the marvellous facilities of the Dutch National Football Federation (KNVB). The students were able to better understand all the pros & cons of participating as one of the host countries at the upcoming Euro 2020 and also got a brilliant overview of the KNVB’s approach to financial fair play. The quick lunch in the amazing KNVB facilities helped to recharge batteries before the “friendly” football games on the pitch between the students from the Online, Barcelona & Amsterdam Johan Cruyff Institute.

Day 2. Cruyff Foundation, Olympic Stadium & Only Friends

If Day 1 was challenging, the next day was even more entertaining. The morning program offered the chance to visit the Olympic Stadium where the 1928 Olympic Games were held and where the Cruyff Foundation now has its offices. After the interesting guide through the stadium, the director of the Cruyff Foundation, Niels Meijer, then gave a talk on the mission and key activities of the foundation at an iconic venue—the Cruyff Court. But of course, this wasn’t the end of the day, because in the afternoon activities were held at the Only Friends sports club, which is an outstanding facility in Amsterdam for disabled kids and youngsters. After a brief introduction by Dennis Gebbink, alumnus and the founder of this wonderful project where almost 600 kids and youngsters practise sport in 24 different sport categories with lots of fun and enthusiasm, the students were able to visit the whole complex and try different sport activities—a kickboxing session led by Dennis’s son Myron, wheelchair basketball and they also had the opportunity to play futsal. The eventful, action-packed day was brought to a close with a dinner at Cafe de Paris in the centre of Amsterdam.

Day 3. Johan Cruijff ArenA

Saving the best for last, the visit to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the home of Ajax Amsterdam, was the plan for the last day. The marketing manager of the Arena, Jeroen van Lersel, gave a welcome lecture about the uniqueness of this stadium, and afterwards the students were given a guided tour of the facilities, including the Ajax Amsterdam museum and shop.