Bas Nijhuis was born on January 12, 1977, in Enschede. From an early age, his talent as a referee was clear. By the age of fifteen, he was officiating official matches, showing his skill and dedication. At 28, he refereed his first professional football match, and his career quickly took off. On October 18, 2011, Bas Nijhuis made his Champions League debut in the match between Olympiakos and Borussia Dortmund.
Referee and Entrepreneur
In the Dutch league, Bas Nijhuis was increasingly assigned top matches by the KNVB. In July 2015, he was promoted to the UEFA Elite Group, working alongside Björn Kuipers as one of the only Dutch referees at that level. Besides being a referee, Bas Nijhuis is also an entrepreneur. After managing a butcher shop, he has been the owner of two bakeries since 2013.
Bas Nijhuis as a Speaker
Speaker Bas Nijhuis is available for interactive presentations in which he shares video footage from the matches he officiates. How challenging is the job of a referee? How does he communicate with his assistants? And what are his views on current developments in refereeing, particularly in communication? All these topics are covered in his lectures. He also draws parallels between elite sport and the business world, as he knows both intimately from personal experience. He presents his work and passion with humor and perspective. A dynamic story supported by impressive visuals and hilarious anecdotes.
