Executive Board member Timo Kos regularly talks with students and lecturers, often during a work visit to one of the many Saxion classes taking place every day. As portfolio manager for education, he particularly enjoys joining theory and practical classes to experience Saxion education at first hand. In the series ‘Timo comes to class’ we go with him on his visits. Today, we meet Timo at an incredibly special venue: at Omnisport in Apeldoorn where he is visiting Marketing students who are following the Sports Marketing study route.
‘The Competition’. That’s the name of the module that first-year students of the Sports Marketing study route follow for six months. Four classes spend six months working on a curriculum that combines sports lessons with assignments set by the programme's regional partners. Sports training is given by teaching students who are studying to become Physical Education teachers at the College of Education (APO). "They are now at the end of the second term, when students are allowed to design and organise their own sports activities," Timo explains from his perch high on the stand, as he watches the students in action. Lecturer Frank Braamhaar is delighted that Timo has joined the class today: “The 'Timo comes to Class' series first appeared last year. We thought it would be a good idea to invite Timo to join us for a session.”
An Inspirational Place
Next Timo takes us to the Omnisport business lounge where the Sports Marketing students are now working work on their assignments. It is a truly inspiring place, adjacent to the impressive athletics track where athletes are training today. Among them are members of the Dutch Olympic track cycling team - Harry Lavreysen trains here too. As does Hetty van der Wouw who also studied Sports Marketing at Saxion. While the Olympic medallists continue their training, the students work on their assignments in the business lounge. They are conducting assignments for Saxion’s regional partners. These range from amateur clubs to large football clubs such as Go Ahead Eagles, Heracles and FC Twente. And from socially relevant partners to businesses, e.g. Acress and Decathlon.
Swim Safety
The Sports Marketing module ‘The Competition’ has been designed according to Saxion’s new educational philosophy and the revised vision of economic education. It focuses on four values. ‘Economic value’ may involve companies selling sports equipment. “This afternoon, the students are working on a branding campaign for Decathlon’s new brands,” cites Timo as an example. Assignments for event venues and escape rooms have ‘Entertainment value.’ ‘Participation value’ comes into play, for example, when students are working with amateur sports clubs. Finally, an assignment may focus on ‘Societal value.’ Students could, for example, work on a campaign for improving swim safety.
Third Year
Frank tells us that this is the third year that Saxion has been privileged to offer part of its new educational programme to Marketing students on the Sports Marketing course at this top external sports venue, Omnisport in Apeldoorn. “Our students are extremely enthusiastic about the programme and their individual experiences are positive. However, only a few people at Saxion are aware of it.” A fantastic place to learn, concludes Timo. “It is great to see our students involved in these worthwhile projects.”
