Yesterday’s announcement highlighted the Dutch National Team’s departure from Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk and the Quick Boys Football Club in Katwijk. Instead, they are returning to the revamped KNVB sports complex. Globally, there are several breathtaking sports complexes that not only focus on physical training but also harness the potential of targeted brain training.
Read more: World-Class Sports Complexes and the Power of Targeted Brain TrainingThe New Trend: Merging Physical and Cognitive Training
Over the past few years, I’ve penned various blogs discussing the potential synergy between targeted brain training and sports performance. Several online games and tools are designed to hone the brain’s capabilities. Consequently, elite sports clubs and associations, equipped with substantial budgets, utilize these techniques alongside conventional training methods. This integration often culminates in the construction of state-of-the-art sports facilities. Here are three complexes that genuinely stood out:
UFC Performance Institute: Where Champions Are Molded
MMA, particularly UFC, is skyrocketing in global popularity. The UFC, capitalizing on this trend, invested a whopping $14 million in their Performance Institute in Las Vegas. This facility not only houses the iconic octagon and a boxing ring but also features dedicated spaces for strength and cardio training, grappling, a 65-seat media room, a 100-seat conference room, an athletic track, and a myriad of advanced therapeutic amenities. Witness the majesty of this complex in the attached video.
Oregon Ducks Football Center: Beyond the Ordinary
Ranked second is the Oregon Ducks football center, a $68 million marvel that brims with cutting-edge technology and training amenities. Every inch of this facility is designed to optimize athlete performance. My initial impression? Sheer awe. The attention to detail, from furniture color schemes to an in-house barbershop, is staggering. Here’s a glimpse into this architectural marvel.
Guangzhou Evergrande’s Youth Academy: A Dream Embodied
While perhaps not the most luxurious, Guangzhou Evergrande’s Youth Academy is undoubtedly one of the most impressive. Constructed with a vision of winning the World Cup, this $185 million campus accommodates over 2,500 students. With 50 football fields, students receive training from 24 coaches sourced from Real Madrid’s Academy. The vast complex also includes a multitude of recreational amenities. This video gives a closer look at this sprawling complex.
The Dutch Paradigm of Sports Excellence
The Netherlands is not far behind in this race of establishing luxurious performance centers. Clubs like AZ, Vitesse, Ajax, PSV, and the KNVB have abundant resources at their disposal to refine their athletes. As Eric Gudde, the director of professional football, mentioned in 2018, “The top teams belong in Zeist. The Dutch team, above all, will find its home here once again.”
The Global Spectrum of Training Facilities
While these grandiose complexes are commendable, it’s essential to recognize that not every club or association can afford such luxury. Thankfully, modern trainers brim with creativity. Even with constrained budgets, they design effective training modules, ensuring holistic development, including cognitive enhancement.