Hans Westerbeek

Professor of Internatio-
nal Sport Business

Head of Sports Business
Insights Group

“Professor Hans Westerbeek has been a valued strategic advisor to our group of companies. His knowledge in the international business of sport, and in regard to innovative big data business analytics in particular is impressive. I consider him one of the leading thinkers in regard to the digital transformation of the sport industry. ” 

- Peter Sprenger
CEO, SportsCloud (Netherlands) and President, Dutch Volleyball Association

Professor of International Sport Business and Head of the Sport Business Insights Group at Victoria University (VU) in Melbourne, Australia. Member of the Track team and the Co-Director of the industry-leading Sport and Recreation Spatial big data program. 

Professor of International Sport Business and Head of the Sport Business Insights Group. Member of the Track team and the Co-Director of the industry-leading Sport and Recreation Spatial big data program. 

Hans came to Victoria University (VU) 10 years ago as the founding Director of the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL) (now Institute for Health & Sport). He then took on the role of Dean of the College of Sport and Exercise Science followed by heading up the VU-wide sport strategy as Pro-Vice Chancellor Sport. He continues to hold Professorial appointments at the Free University of Brussels, the Real Madrid Graduate School and the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, China. Professor Westerbeek was a founding board member of the European Association for Sport Management (EASM) and also of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ). He served as President to the SMAANZ as well. He has also served on the Board of AFL Europe. Professor Westerbeek is an active researcher and consultant to a variety of international organisations. He has worked for more than 50 different organisations including FIFA, the Australian Football League, Tennis Australia, The Australian Sports Commission, the International Tennis Federation and the Dutch Football Association, and for governments in countries such as United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, China, Portugal, Belgium and India. Hans has written 25 books in the fields of sport business, marketing and management and in excess of 200 refereed and popular scientific articles. He is frequently contributing to the media, and holds various expert appointments around the world including positions with the Dutch Sports Council in the Netherlands, with fanbase digital marketing company SportsCloud International and with the Ingesport Group in Spain.  

Qualifications

Bachelor degree in Physical Education and a Masters degree in Human Movement Sciences from the University of Groningen (Netherlands)

MBA and PhD (International Marketing) - Deakin University (Australia)

Advanced Management Program (AMP) graduate - Harvard Business School in Boston, USA 

Professional Accreditation and Associations

  • Member of Track team at Victoria University
  • Founding board member of the European Association for Sport Management (EASM)
  • Founding member of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ)

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