Leadership is an elite sport, and elite sport requires strong management. Gerard Kemkers is the best known speed skating coach in the Netherlands and understands this better than anyone. Throughout his career, he has achieved major successes, but he has also faced significant setbacks. Those setbacks, in particular, have shaped him into the person he is today. In his distinctive style, Gerard Kemkers speaks about topics including talent development, dealing with setbacks, team building and collaboration.
Gerard Kemkers
Gerard Kemkers helps organisations and teams perform better when pressure rises and results fall short. As an Olympic medallist and coach to elite speed skaters including Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst, he knows how to develop talent and help teams peak at the right moment. He translates lessons from elite sport into sharper leadership, stronger collaboration and consistent performance. His keynotes are grounded, practical and results driven, with lessons that can be applied immediately.
- Rate indication: Price on request
- Available for booking as: Speaker
- Languages: Dutch English
About Gerard Kemkers
Gerard Kemkers was a successful speed skater during the 1980s and early 1990s. At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, he won a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres. After graduating from the Academy of Physical Education and spending four pioneering years as a coach in the United States, Gerard returned to the Netherlands. There, he joined the national speed skating team. In 2002, he started a new project. Sponsor TVM wanted to establish a new speed skating team, with Gerard as its experienced coach. He worked with athletes including Carl Verheijen, Jochem Uytdehaage, Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst. As the coach of Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst, Gerard became widely known to the Dutch public. In 2006, he was named Coach of the Year at the NOC*NSF Sports Gala.
Career
Following the 2014 Winter Olympics, Gerard was appointed a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau in recognition of his achievements as a coach. Gerard Kemkers captivates audiences with his stories of success. He understands the realities of elite sport, and his experiences of falling down and getting back up shaped him into one of the world’s leading speed skating coaches.
Married
Gerard Kemkers is married to former speed skater Elke Felicetti, and together they have two children. Today, he works as performance manager at FC Groningen.
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