He won a gold medal as coach of the Netherlands men's national volleyball team in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta by defeating Italy in the final (3-2).

[2][3] During his time as an active player, Alberda played on the highest national level as setter for the teams of Lycurgus and Donitas from the city of Groningen.

Beal had guided the United States men's national volleyball team to an Olympic gold the previous year, and his strategic approach appealed greatly to Alberda: controlling every possible detail, leaving nothing to chance.

In 1994, Alberda was appointed as head coach of the Dutch national men's volleyball team which had already been under way to international fame.

[2] In 1997, Alberda filled the position of technical director of the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF).