Executive Team

Željko Banićević, Ph.D.*, M.Sc., B.Sc., CPT, PT.

Founder & CEO

Željko is the Founder and CEO of the Dubai-based Health, Exercise & Research Center (HERC). He formed all three departments and oversees company development. Željko, who was once a national junior champion in athletics (1500 & 3000m running) and a professional basketball player, possesses extensive expertise in the field of sports due to his vast experience as an athlete. He holds a bachelor’s degree as a Professor of Sports and Physical Education and a master’s degree in Sports Science from the University of Novi Sad. He specializes in strength and conditioning and has extensive experience in sport science research and education. For over a decade, he has been involved in numerous research projects and field-related activities. Several universities have enlisted him as an advisory board member for their MSc programs. As a PhD candidate in sports science, Željko’s interest lately is the subject of modern sports recovery.

Ivana Banićević Ph.D.*, M.Sc., B.Sc., CPT, PT.

Co-Founder & COO

Ivana is a Co-Founder and COO of the HERC- Health, Exercise & Research Center. She is looking after the operations of all three departments. Aside from a bachelor’s degree in Sports and Physical Education, she holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Science with a specialization in Youth Development, as well as a Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine with Physicotherapy. Ivana has received multiple awards from the UAE Government entities and the public sector for her contributions. She is a professional athlete in the UAE’s Basketball Federation and a doctoral candidate in Sports Science. While she works as a Lecturer in the field of Strength and Conditioning, she is focused on improving and further developing women’s sports in the region. Furthermore, as a Sports Medicine practitioner, she concentrates on the ‘Return to Sport’ concept.

In addition to the executive team, which actively participates in all three departments, HERC employs several certified physiotherapists, sports medicine specialists, strength and conditioning coaches, as well as HERC associates and interns who contribute to specific projects.

HERC’s Expert Group

Working with a variety of government entities and numerous sports clubs and individuals gave us a unique perspective on UAE sporting challenges and opportunities. For decades, we have built an extensive network of health, sport, exercise, and rehabilitation experts, and the idea of bringing them together came when we saw a need for support to the UAE’s sporting sector.

The primary objective of HERC’s Expert Group is to address the requirements of the UAE Government in advancing the field of sports. However, the group is also capable of extending its services to the broader GCC and MENA regions. Our team includes field experts and has completed similar projects in their countries. Our knowledge encompasses various areas including administration, leadership, and legal aspects of sports, as well as identifying talents, providing education in professional sports, nurturing staff, establishing and managing sports performance centers, and conducting cutting-edge research in sports and exercise science. We deeply appreciate and feel privileged to have a remarkable assembly of professionals who are eager to contribute to the progress and enhancement of the UAE, as well as the wider MENA region. To read more about HERC’s Expert Group click HERE.

Collin Webster, Ph.D.

Physical Education, Sport Pedagogy, Expert Teaching, PE Research

Dr. Webster holds the position of Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Cristi in the United States. Previously, Dr. Webster served as a Professor and Program Director for the MSc Sport Coaching and MSc Physical Education and Wellbeing programs at the University of Birmingham, Dubai. He is an internationally recognized scholar in his field, having published over 120 articles and book chapters and given over 100 presentations at major academic and professional conferences. The primary focus of his research is on whole-of-school physical activity programming, which encompasses physical education and other opportunities for youth to engage in physical activity before, during, and after school. He held academic appointments at the University of South Carolina and the University of Wollongong in Australia.

Anna Szumilewicz, Ph.D.

Professional Standards, European Qualification System, Women in Sport

Dr. Szumilewicz is an associate professor at the Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport (AWFiS), Poland. She is Deputy Director for Standards at EuropeActive and Vice-President of the Council for Education and Training of Physical Culture Professionals at the Polish Sports Ministry. She has been involved in developing EA’s Standards at various EQF levels and is considered a leading expert in systemic educational solutions for the fitness and health sectors. Her research is bi-directional, analyzing the areas of knowledge, skills, and competencies of exercise professionals and the influence of various exercise programs on women’s health.

Brent Alvar, Ph.D.

Academic Programs, Strength & Conditioning, Tactical S&C, Evidence-based Practice

Dr. Alvar is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Kinesiology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, and the former President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). NSCA Fellow, a member of the organization since 1996, has been instrumental in developing many college and university academic programs in Sports and Tactical Strength and Conditioning, including programs from the Associate’s level to the Ph.D. With over 50 published papers and book chapters, 75 invited research, and professional presentations, Dr. Alvar helped to develop the NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning as well as the TSAC Strength and Conditioning Course.

Marko Begović, Ph.D.

Sport Diplomacy, Sport Governance, Sports Policy, Sports Law

Dr. Begović is an Assistant Professor at Molde University College in Norway and a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Sport in Belgrade, Serbia. He is a field expert previously holding positions such as director of sport and youth affairs in the Government of Montenegro, Program Director of MSc Sport Management at American University in the Emirates, Governing Bureau member at the Council of Europe, and Senior Policy Advisor at the Qatar Tennis Federation. His extensive experience in sports politics and research impacted his work on Council of Europe conventions and resolutions and the development of sports policies across Europe.

Ian Jeffreys, Ph.D.

Strength & Conditioning, International Qualification Standards, Sports Performance

Dr. Jeffreys is an Emeritus Professor of Strength & Conditioning and President-elect of NSCA- National Strength & Conditioning Association and an internationally renewed coach, educator, and author. He is a Founder Member of UKSCA, a former member of the Board of Directors of UKSCA and NSCA, a Vice-President, and an honorary fellow of these organizations. He authored 11 books, multiple book chapters, and numerous S&C articles published in leading international scientific journals. His Gamespeed system of sport-specific speed and agility development, along with his RAMP warm-up protocols, have revolutionized training in these areas and have been adopted by a wide range of coaches and organizations worldwide.

Dimitrije Čabarkapa, Ph.D.

Sports Science, Sports Performance, Sport & Exercise Science Research

Dr. Čabarkapa is the Director of Basketball Research at the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory – Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at the University of Kansas, USA. Strongly influenced by his personal experience and playing career, Dr. Čabarkapa’s research interests are primarily directed toward improving basketball performance. Some of his current and upcoming research projects are focused on examining the biomechanical characteristics of various types of shooting motions and physiological responses during training and competition.

Bram Swinnen, MPT.

Sports Performance Training & Rehabilitation, Elite Sports Performance Coaching & Education

Bram Swinnen, an esteemed physical therapist, boasts a 20-year track record in sports training and rehab. Known for expertise in performance training, he has worked worldwide with 8 Olympic medalists, various top teams, and revered Euroleague basketball clubs. Bram has trained notable players, authored a bestseller, and currently serves as a High-Performance coach at KRC Genk and Expert Coach for ASICS Tennis Academy. He has conducted popular Performance Courses across continents and recently launched a Mastery Course. Bram’s authority in topics like Velocity-Based Training and Brain Training, coupled with evidence-based practices, earns him widespread recognition and respect.

Rhodri S. Lloyd, Ph.D.

Paediatric S&C, Youth Physical Development, Long-term Atheltic Development, Talent ID

Rhodri Lloyd is a Professor of Paediatric Strength and Conditioning and Chair of the Youth Physical Development Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University. His research interests surround the impact of growth and maturation on long-term athletic development and the neuromuscular mechanisms underpinning training responsiveness and injury risk in young athletes. To date, he has published in excess of 160 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 30 book chapters and three textbooks on the topics of paediatric strength and conditioning and long-term athletic development. In 2016, Professor Lloyd led the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) inaugural position statement on long-term athletic development, and he has also co-authored the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Essentials of Youth Training textbook. His research influences the philosophies and programming within the Youth Physical Development Centre, which provides after-school strength and conditioning provision to approximately 130 young athletes. He has previously been recognized both nationally and internationally for his contributions to research and education and in 2021 was made a fellow of the NSCA.

HERC