My story
Hi there! I’m Tim van Hoorn.
I’m 35 years old and a passionate physiotherapist and performance specialist, currently working at the youth academy of AFC Ajax. My goal is simple: to help athletes become stronger, faster, and healthier.
With years of experience in sports performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation, I know that athletes perform best when they understand and trust their training. That’s why I focus on clear communication, personalized programs, and a hands-on approach to help you stay in top shape and reach your full potential.
My career path
At a young age, I suffered a serious knee injury. With the help of my physiotherapist, I recovered quickly and fully. From that moment, I knew I wanted to become a sports physiotherapist. After finishing my physiotherapy studies in 2011, I was unsure how to achieve my goal of working in elite sports. I had different jobs, from working in the ICU at a hospital to rehabilitating prisoners serving life sentences. However, I realized these roles wouldn’t lead me to my dream job.
To deepen my knowledge, I started a Master’s in Human Movement Science. This program gave me a better understanding of human movement, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and advanced technologies in sports performance, like GPS and heart rate monitoring. These skills allowed me to work more effectively with my athletes during their rehabilitation, especially in the final stages of their return to sport.
After working for several years in Qatar, I found my first job in elite sports as a physiotherapist for the youth academy at FC Groningen. During this time, I also worked as a strength and conditioning coach for Donar, a professional basketball team. Realizing that I needed to enhance my expertise in this field, I started a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning.
In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to join my childhood dream club, AFC Ajax. I am currently the U-17 physiotherapist and performance specialist at AFC Ajax, working closely with the head of performance to maximise player health and performance.
My training philosophy
Whether you are getting physiotherapy or training, I believe athletes are more committed to their training and rehabilitation when they understand and trust their individualized plan and recognize how it benefits their performance or recovery. Clear explanations are important to me, using simple language and relatable metaphors to make complex topics easier to understand. Instead of just giving answers, I ask athletes questions to stimulate critical thinking, improve their understanding, and develop a proactive mindset.
I like to have open communication with my athletes and to create an environment where athletes feel free to share their thoughts and ideas. I encourage athletes to take responsibility for their own development. Furthermore, it is important to me to build personal relationships, get to know my athletes better as individuals and learn about their interests outside of sport. This helps me to motivate and support them more effectively.
Ultimately, my goal is to help athletes become confident, independent, and motivated individuals who want to reach their full potential.
What do I offer?
If you are an athlete, trainer, or coach seeking expert advice on (youth) athlete development, rehabilitation, or optimizing physical performance, I’m here to provide personalized guidance and support. Together, we can create a structured plan to help you achieve your goals.
Contact
- (+31) 6 138 569 83
- info@timvanhoorn.blog
- Groningen, The Netherlands
© 2025 Tim van Hoorn • All Rights Reserved