A new research article on regional football tourism has recently been published at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, developed through collaboration between different academies.
Cross-academy collaboration
The research was conducted by Prantik Bordoloi (academy of Business & Leadership) and David Proctor (academy of Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality). Together, they developed a conceptual framework to explore how professional football clubs can be strategically leveraged by cities and regions for hospitality and tourism development.
Practical example: SC Cambuur
As a practical example, they focused on SC Cambuur in Leeuwarden, a club located in a peripheral region (or ‘krimpregio’) that has recently moved into a new stadium. The study demonstrates that regional clubs do not need to imitate the global elite. Their strength lies in authenticity, local embeddedness, and social capital. By fostering collaboration between clubs, stadiums, municipalities, brands, and communities, new opportunities emerge for regional economic growth and hospitality initiatives.
Publication and impact
The article was published in the international journal Journal of Sport & Tourism and highlights how cross-academy collaboration within NHL Stenden can lead to impactful and regionally relevant knowledge development. Many of our programmes complement each other, and joint research projects can strengthen both teaching and practical applications.
A practical framework for other regions
The framework is intended as a practical thinking tool that can also be applied and tested in other regions and leagues. Colleagues and external partners who wish to explore or adapt it are very welcome to get in touch.
Creating regional opportunities
This research showcases how NHL Stenden contributes to knowledge development on local challenges while creating new opportunities for regional collaboration. It is a great example of co-creation with real impact – for our programmes, our region, and partners such as SC Cambuur.
Learn more
Curious about the publication? Click here.