Renate Groenewold is known as a successful ice skater. After her sporting career she is currently working as a Coach and studying the International Master of Sport Management at the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport Studies in Amsterdam. We asked Renate about her life as a student and coach, and about her successes as an ice skater.

Renate, in 2010 you ended your career as a professional ice skater. How do you look back on those years?
I am proud about my achievements. When you are in the midst of all the action, you want to go faster and perform better, but afterwards you realize that only few skaters can say that they were All Round World Champion on the 3km, or that they won Olympic Silver twice (2002 and 2006).

In 2006 I decided to go for Olympic Gold in Vancouver and prolonged my sport career for another four years. The preparations in 2009 went very well and I was the 3km world champion, but 2010 was a complicated year for me. Due to a hernia and uterine problems I had to go through surgery, and had to lower my ambitions. Looking back it was amazing that I even went to Vancouver. I learned a lot during the year.

Did you ever practice other sports?
I used to play volleyball, but when I had to choose between ice skating and volleyball, I discovered that I prefer individual sport. But I don’t see myself as a tough elite athlete. I love to work and be with other people, and I perform best within a collaborating team. As a coach I focus on the team. It is nice to share your experiences with other people.

Many elite athletes fear the so called ‘black hole’ after their athletic career. What is your experience?
Sometimes I ask myself what this ‘black hole’ should feel like. I had a few difficult moments. I was accustomed to a regular structure of eating, training and sleeping. My days are different now… busier. Sometimes I would like to go back to that structured life, but mostly I see my new life is a challenge.

Can you tell us about your new projects?
Since April 2010 I coach seven ice skaters in the age 18-23 years, in the province of Drenthe, the Netherlands. I am also an ambassadress for the Olympic Plan 2028 for this province. The program ‘Play it Forward’ links (ex) athletes to ‘talents’, to share knowledge and experience. And in October 2010 I got my license as a coach. I work now as a Level 4 coach and I would like to be Level 5 coach in the future. I also am involved in things like giving clinics and presentations.

And you are also studying...
Yes indeed. I am following the International Master of Sport Management at the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport Studies. During my sport career I already picked up the idea to start developing my ‘grey cells’ again. So no surprise that I was enthusiastic when they contacted me to ask if I was interested. I grabbed my chances when insurance company AEGON offered me help in the form of a scholarship.

The Master is a one-year program. That suits me very well, because as an athlete you are used to working towards certain goals. So that is a big advantage. I like the way they teach. Within the program we are encouraged to think about sport related issues. Discussions in class lead to specific results. And the group is unique because everybody is involved in sports: they are athletes, former athletes or they have a real passion for sports. It is nice to share knowledge and experiences with each other.

In the Master you need to write a business plan. Can you tell us more about it?
I am writing the business plan with Barbara de Loor, also a former ice skater, and Evelien Vonk, a national softball player. We would like to arrange 3-4 day coaching and training trips for companies to Inzell, Germany. These trips are linked to ice skating. We are using companies and people within our sport network to create inspiring environments for problem solving and thinking. Inzell is for Barbara and me a very special location. It is the ideal surrounding for coaching and training trips because of its sport facilities, the spa, the peace and history. Besides developing myself as a coach, we would like to put our plans into practice in the future.

Maybe you should consider the International Master in Coaching at the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport Studies?
Yes, it is interesting for sure and who knows what the future will bring!

Renate, thank you for the interview and good luck with your studies and coaching!