Founder 4-Skills

Arnoud Jonker

While playing for a professional soccer club in The Netherlands, Arnoud became injured and his soccer career ended. This setback opened up a new opportunity for him and at just 21 years old he became the Head Coach for “TVC/Breda”. After 6 years, he moved to New Jersey, USA, to work full-time as a coach for a Soccer Academy and coach at Franklin High School. Three years later, Arnoud returned to the Netherlands with his American fiancé and son, founding the 4-Skills Soccer School (2012) at SV Deurne. There he also became Head of Youth Development (for 5 years) and coach of the U17-1 (4^th Division) and later U19-1 (3^rd Division).

Alongside his soccer career Arnoud was also a passionate teacher. He began teaching in the education system in 2003 as a High School teacher with a focus on children with Autism. His dream was to combine the strategies used in education to the sports world. After all, these are children being guided and molded. Their personal well-being is just as important as the tricks they learn on the sports field. Combine the two and you have a recipe for success. Also crucial is how sports trainers interact with children. They are in a sense taking on a teacher role, and must therefore be qualified in handling situations that arise with children. This includes but is not limited to behavior, self-esteem/lack of self-esteem, interaction with others, confidence, arguments, etc.. All of these situations that occur among children in a team sport are just important as the game itself.

Arnoud began to slowly create his ideology of “Pedagogics’ in Sport” and incorporate that into his trainings. More and more players signed up wanting to work on their technique during special trainings he offered. Thanks to this success, Arnoud also began organizing soccer camps during the spring and summer vacations. Soon, camps were filled up year round with children wanting a fantastic week full of soccer, fun, challenging games, and other sports.

Arnoud started implementing his vision within his own approach to soccer training; combining it with his background as a teacher/educator, adding a pedagogical perspective. “These days, it’s not just about the content of the training. The way we interact with children plays a crucial role in helping them develop their potential.”

Thanks to the rapid growth in participants and partnering clubs, 4-Skills Soccer Academy started to gain a national reputation.

Arnoud also developed his own courses, in which more and more various clubs followed to help educate their staff and trainers. The pedagogical focus of his courses has been especially well-received. This is exactly what volunteers are looking for—answers, guidance, and tools. How do I coach and support young players of different skill levels? How do I prevent disruptive behavior during training sessions? 

4-Skills has since grown into a nationwide soccer school where hundreds of children and coaches participate each year in the various programs offered to kids of all levels and ages between 4 and 16 years old.

Alongside his professional career Arnoud is happily married to his American wife, Aimee. They share 3 beautiful children together.

His dream of combining soccer and education within one program has become a reality. We hope that as a club, parent, or player, you will find great joy in the programs and activities offered by 4-Skills.