The Johan Cruyff College offers study programs at the vocational level (In the Netherlands: MBO, level 3 and 4). We currently offer Johan Cruyff Colleges in five cities in The Netherlands. The programs are delivered in Dutch. Each Johan Cruyff College is part of a “Regional Education Centre” or “ROC” (derived from the Dutch Regionaal Opleidings Centrum). These are academic centers, administered by the Dutch government.

The programs of the Johan Cruyff College are designed for elite athletes from all kinds of sports, offering them an opportunity to balance sport with studies. We believe that sport and education are both noble pursuits in which students find challenges and opportunities for personal development and growth.

Programs

The Johan Cruyff College offers 2 programs in the domain Sport & Business:

1. Commercial Assistant Sport (two year program - level 3)
2. Employee Sport Marketing, Communication & Event Organization (three year program - level 4)

Note: In September 2011 the Johan Cruyff College Enschede will start with two study programs in the domain Sport & Coaching*:

1. Sport and Activity Monitor (at level 3) and
2. Sport and Activity Coordinator/ Trainer/Coach (at level 4)

*Intentions to offer these programs at all Johan Cruyff College locations to student-athletes in September 2012.

Philosophy

The Johan Cruyff Colleges breathe the typical energy and dynamics of the sport sector. We celebrate student-athletes’ successes in class and on the playing ground. The academic installations serve as an academic training ground where teachers and students engage in an interactive learning process. All the academic content is related to the sport sector. And since students and most of the staff are athletes, they motivate and stimulate each other, and understand (sport training) obligations and responsibilities. Students do not only learn with, but also from each other.

Furthermore, we believe that personal growth of student-athletes has to incorporate athletic, intellectual and character development if it is to prepare for sustained success. The student-athlete, the school, the sport organization, and the social environment have to work together if short and long-term goals are to be achieved.

Method

Sport training and competition schemes of the student-athletes are taken fully into account. This means on the part of the Johan Cruyff College: tailor-made student guidance, offering maximum flexibility, and open and clear communications on - for example - student-athletes responsibilities and expectations. This requires on the part of the student: more responsibility and self-discipline, transparent and ongoing communication with the school and fellow students.

Student-athletes are less in class than regular students and use more long distance learning tools - Cruyff.net / Google Apps - intranet), Internet, Skype, Email, etc. - to communicate with their fellow student-athletes and teachers and continue their work on a project or study even if they are on training.

Matriculation

Student-athlete enrolment is based on three pillars:

1. Sport level and
2. Level of former education, and
3. Motivation for the study program (through intake and a test if necessary).

Note: Regarding the (young) age of student-athletes who are interested in vocational education (see below), in comparison to their sport talent development phase, the program is, under specific circumstances, open for sport talents.