Balancing Excellence: Edouard Capelle, Judo Champion and Master's Student

Belgian judo champion, and not for the first time

First of all, congratulations! Belgian judo champion, and not for the first time.
‘Yep, four times in a row now as a senior. Two times as a junior. I’m from a judo family. My big brother is a judo champion too, so is my dad. I don't think he would have liked it if I had chosen dancing or something.’

Judo is your lifestyle – I don’t even have to ask. 
But how do you combine your sports career with a master’s?
‘First of all, I want to say that BUas helps me a lot. Alongside my studies, I can do my training here, in the Netherlands, at Papendal. I have very good trainers there, it’s impressive, the infrastructure they have. In Papendal, I’m training for the Olympics in 2028. Los Angeles, here I come, love to participate!’

"Olympics in 2028. Los Angeles, here I come"

So BUas helps a lot. In what way?
‘Everyone is so supportive. Lecturers ask me how I’m doing and how tournaments went. Sometimes I even get a big applause. It is so different from Belgium. Lecturers here are sincerely interested. Too bad I’m not Dutch!’

Was that your main reason for choosing BUas?
‘Not necessarily, I didn’t know beforehand that it would be like this here. BUas really takes care of its students. Yesterday, for example, we had a social gathering with a gift game an everyone had brought something special from their country. That way, you can connect with each other more easily. Because of my top sport activities, I have been to many schools, such as Fontys, but also schools in Madrid, Bordeaux, San Francisco. BUas is the best!’

You opted for a two-year master’s programme? How do you combine things?
‘I join meetings online when I am abroad for a tournament. Next weekend, for example, I am going to Monaco for an International Team Competition. And two weeks ago I had a training camp in Cyprus. I actually had to give a presentation at school then, but I was able to change it to another date, which was no problem at all. In Belgium, they also said they would help me with this kind of practical things, but at the end of the day I just had to take that exam anyway.’ 

Tourism and Hospitality Innovations

Why did you choose the master's programme Tourism and Hospitality Innovations (formerly known as Sustainable Outdoor Hospitality Management, ed.)?
‘My parents have a campsite in Belgium and my father read about this master’s programme. I decided to apply and was selected. I really hope this master’s will help me expand the family’s company abroad, I’d like to run more campsites in Europe. In a sustainable way, I have ideas about that and our senior lecturer (Jos van der Sterren, ed.) is helping me out. He has so much experience all around the world!’

‘It’s real fun, and I am learning an incredible amount. Currently, we are working on a research project for a campsite in Limburg. It’s about the floods and how to deal with it. We are working out a strategic plan about water management, give advice on how to act when things go wrong.’

Isn’t it frustrating that you can’t join all study activities, because of your training scheme and so?
‘I have the opportunity to do my part, one way or another, and I’m thankful for that. I prefer to do my own work and then exchange results with my fellow students. There are five of us and all from a different culture. Croatia, Iran, Spain – everyone is building a sustainable future for campsites in their own way.’

Any chance to work together in the near future?
‘Hope so! We are now working closely together, also with the teaching staff!’

The market is growing

Part of this master’s is a traineeship. Do you already have any specific ideas about this?
‘I like to travel, so that’s also a reason I chose this master’s programme. So glad that I have the opportunity to combine my traineeship abroad with my training activities. Hopefully it will be in Japan or Brazil, because in those countries judo is really practised at a high level. But it can also be in Leeuwarden.’ (smiles) ‘I met the boss of ACSI and I really would like to join that company for a while.’

Has camping still got a future, you think?
‘According to ACSI, the market is growing. During the Covid pandemic people discovered campsites. My aim is to focus on a more luxury concept but sustainable at the same time.’

And what would you like to do?
‘If only I can get started on a new concept, something ecological. I really want to develop something in the context of water management or combatting food waste. It feels good anyway that I can implement what I've just learned right away in my father's company.’

You're camping yourself at the moment, right?
‘I am temporarily living on a campsite in Etten-Leur. In a bungalow, but still, I’m in the field literally.’ (laughs) ‘In February, I’m leaving for Croatia for the second part of my master’s. There’s a judo club there I want to join, from there I can continue taking part in international competition.’

How many hours do you spend on training a week?
‘Nowadays about two hours a day. It used to be four or five, but I’ve classes from nine to four. Long days, but every month-and-a-half we start with another topic, so it’s never boring.’

And you're used to working long days, aren’t you?
‘I used to work in the family business during the holidays. It was always a lot of fun. The great thing is that I now have experience in all departments. I still help my brother, he is the manager now.’

Strongest Man on the Campsite

You are learning to be a manager and your big brother is one! 
Will that cause any friction?
‘No way! But we do brainstorm ideas like: Strongest Man on the Campsite. That would be fun. We want to do things differently from my parents but with respect for what they’ve built. My grandfather once started the campsite. He was a farmer, had a piece of land, people stayed over for the night, he planted some apple trees and there it was: Le Pommier Rustique. In memory of my grandfather.’

That's a lovely thought. Judo and camping make up the connecting thread that runs through your family. What competencies from top-level sport do you take with you in your professional career?

‘I started as a judoka at the age of five and it helped me in difficult situations, it still does. I’m determined, resilient, and because of my sport, I’ve learned to organise and plan very well. I’m quite a sensitive person, definitely feel the emotions. I’m used to tension, can handle a lot of people around, cameras and so on, and then still focus. I am competitive. Once I have an objective, I work very hard for it every day. Because of my sport, I literally have both feet firmly on the ground. I am sure that will help in my future career.’

Did Edouard inspire you? Check out our master’s programmes

Tourism and Hospitality Innovations is a specialisation within the Master Tourism Destination Management and focuses on sustainable outdoor hospitality management. 

Other specialisations within this master’s programme are Urban Tourism and Mobility, focusing on visitor flows and sustainable approaches to urban development, and Tourism Destination Management, focusing on the sustainable design of tourist destinations in a responsible and resilient way.

Check out the master’s programmes of BUas or visit our open day!

Interview: Maaike Dukker-‘t Hart