Jesse Schuurman: The Latest Top Transfer to Wannet Sports Insurance

Wannet Sports Insurance B.V. proudly announces the arrival of Jesse Schuurman, who will strengthen our team as a Junior Account Manager. Bjorn Rijgersberg, CCO of Wannet Sports Insurance, shares his excitement about this new addition: "Attracting Jesse is like we've brought in a top player. His unique experience on the field and his fresh perspective on the insurance world make him the perfect reinforcement for our team. We look forward to the dynamics and new perspectives he will bring."

Let's get to know Jesse better and find out what drives him, both professionally and personally. We asked him a number of questions for this purpose, we hope this will help us and you to get to know Jesse:

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Bemmel, a small village between Arnhem and Nijmegen. I've been living in Zevenaar for several years now.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?

My biggest hobby outside of work is definitely football, which I still play at an amateur level. I find this the most enjoyable activity. I also like playing paddle tennis, going to the cinema, dining out, and doing fun things with friends.

What truly makes you happy?

I am truly happy when I engage in activities with my girlfriend, friends, family, and cat. Additionally, playing football also brings me genuine happiness.

Do you have a favorite sport or team besides football?

I really enjoy playing paddle tennis with friends. It can get quite competitive at times. In fact, I like many sports. I also enjoy watching Formula 1, especially Max Verstappen.

What would the title of your autobiography be if you were to write one?

Hard Work Pays Off.

Have you received a nickname during your football career, and if so, what's the story behind it?

I got the nickname "Schuurspons" (Scouring Pad). It originated in the locker room of De Graafschap, a combination of my surname and a scouring pad.

Where did you go to school, and what education did you pursue? How did you combine it with professional football, and what did you enjoy the most about it?

I played in the youth team of Vitesse in the past. This required us to attend a special school for athletes. I went to Beekdal Lyceum in Arnhem and completed my higher general secondary education there. The school was specially designed for athletes to combine their sports with studies, accommodating training times. The best part of this time was the contact with classmates, teammates, and the memories we made. I also look back on it as a very enjoyable time! After my secondary education, I pursued a degree in HBO Business & Innovation (Entrepreneurship) offered by the VVCS (footballers' union). The course was scheduled in the evenings, allowing me to train during the day and study at night.

Who in the business or sports world inspires you and why?

Max Verstappen inspires me. He has one goal in mind and does everything for it. It's all about winning for him. Even when he wins, he often isn't satisfied with his car. He constantly wants to improve as a driver and as a team.

How did the transition from professional football to the insurance world come about?

Last summer, my contract with De Graafschap expired. I had a strong desire to work abroad, to gain experience in a different country with a different language and culture. Unfortunately for me, no concrete club came by. Then, I started thinking about my options. I had several options in the Netherlands, but I reached a point where I started thinking about my future because I had just finished my studies. That's why I started looking into different job opportunities. This is how I came into contact with David Wannet, whom I knew from my youth training at Vitesse Arnhem. We had a nice conversation, and the click was immediately good from both sides, and that's how I ended up at Wannet Sports Insurance.

How has your experience as a former footballer prepared you for your new role at Wannet Sports Insurance?

My experience as a former footballer has taught me about the risks of injury and its consequences. That's why it's also important for a footballer to think about it. In addition, I bring my experiences on how to best approach footballers. Having been in that world for more than 15 years, I know how most players think. What attracted you to the combination of sports and insurance at Wannet Sports Insurance?What really attracted me is that it can offer a certain security to athletes in an uncertain world. I recognize the fear of getting injured and having your career end. I want to help players prepare for what could happen. It would be unfortunate to get injured and have nothing to fall back on. I have the best interests of the players at heart. You also insure the contents of a house against possible damage (e.g., fire). In the football world, it's less customary to insure yourself.

What do you consider your biggest challenge and victory in your career so far?

My biggest challenge and victory in my career is that I eventually made it into professional football out of all those young boys. So many young players dream of playing professional football. I'm one of the lucky ones who made it. Sometimes you also need a bit of luck.

Can you share a highlight from your football career that has special meaning for you?

My debut in professional football with Vitesse is a moment I will never forget. It was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

What are the most important lessons you've taken from your football career into your business life?

One of the most important lessons I've taken from my career as a professional footballer is that you can achieve a lot of your goals through hard work. If you want to achieve something, it starts with hard work. Additionally, I've learned that it's important to approach/treat each individual differently, being honest, transparent, and clear. This is often highly appreciated.Which former teammates have you learned the most from and why?I think my former teammate Toine van Huizen at De Graafschap has taught me the most. He inspired me to pursue the Business & Innovation degree, and I learned a lot from that. Martin Odegaard also inspired me at a young age. During his time at Vitesse, Odegaard was always working on his body. He was constantly engaged in strength training and taking care of his body. Ultimately, your body is the tool you have to work with.

If you had the opportunity to create a new, innovative sports insurance, what would it look like and for which unique sport would it be?

There would be an option to insure yourself as a padel or tennis duo. If one of the two gets injured, you both potentially lose income. By insuring yourselves, you're both guaranteed a certain amount of money.

How do you stay involved with football now that you have a career in the insurance world?

At the moment, I still play football myself. I do this at an amateur level for IJsselmeervogels from Spakenburg. Besides, I still follow a lot of football. I've played with many different guys, so you always keep track of them.

What do you hope to achieve at Wannet Sports Insurance, and how do you want to use your sports background for it?

I hope to develop myself as a person in different areas at Wannet Sports Insurance. Along with the company, I want to take steps to achieve the set goals. I will use my network from the sports world to achieve the set goals together with my colleagues at Wannet Sports Insurance. I also want to use my knowledge, network, and experience in sports to establish various new contacts and relationships.

If you look back on your football career, what would you say to your younger self?

I would tell myself to be more in the moment. In hindsight, I should have enjoyed it more. I also should have taken more time to appreciate what I had achieved. Ultimately, I really had a great time.

If you could enact a new law, what would it be?

The abolition of helmet laws for scooters, haha.

If you had the attention of the entire world for fifteen seconds, what would you do or say?

Be kind to each other and let everyone be in their own value.

Jesse's story is an inspiring mix of passion, perseverance, and the transition from the field to the professional world. His experiences and insights will undoubtedly be of immense value to our team and our clients. Welcome aboard, Jesse! We look forward to our collaboration!

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