Belgian School Opens Cycling, Triathlon Sport-Study Tracks

The Institut Sainte-Marie Jambes (ISMJ), one of the largest secondary schools in the Namur region of Belgium, is launching two new sport-study programs in cycling and triathlon for the September 2026 school year. The school confirmed that the minimum registration threshold required to launch the programs has been reached, marking a first for the institution.

A New Opportunity for Young Athletes

The new options, open to students in the 3rd and 5th years of secondary education, allow pupils to combine their academic studies with intensive athletic training within the school schedule. As RTBF reported, students will receive eight hours per week of sport-specific training integrated directly into their timetable, alongside one hour of anatomy classes to help them better understand their bodies in the context of athletic practice.

“This format allows combining training at school and academic learning, without one being at the expense of the other,” said Gauthier Martiat, director of ISMJ since 1993, in comments reported by RTBF.

The programs are part of the technical transition pathway, leading to the Certificate of Upper Secondary Education (CESS), which provides access to higher education. This pathway is designed to allow students to pursue athletic excellence while completing their secondary education.

The Cycling Program

The cycling option offers training across four disciplines: mountain biking (VTT), cyclocross, road cycling, and time trial. According to the school, students will “discover new disciplines like mountain biking and cyclocross, improve performance on road and time trial, and learn to manage efforts to reach full potential.”

The school’s location provides excellent training grounds, with its park suitable for VTT and cyclocross, the nearby RAVeL network and Meuse river banks offering safe routes for power and speed training, and the Namur citadel providing hill training opportunities. Students also benefit from secure bike storage, equipment spaces, and technical support from the school’s bicycle mechanic option.

The Triathlon Program

Described by the school as “much more than a sport,” the triathlon option is “a complete training that invites you to master three fundamental disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running.” The program emphasizes managing transitions between disciplines and developing a harmonious physical condition.

A key logistical advantage is the school’s proximity to the Jambes swimming pool, just a 10-minute walk away, which facilitates the swimming component of the program. Students also participate in organized triathlons adapted to their school level.

Building on a Strong Sporting Tradition

ISMJ, founded in 1930 as a boarding school by the Sisters of Sainte-Marie, has evolved into a major educational institution with approximately 1,500 students. As documented by Enseignement Catholique (SeGEC), the school has grown from its origins as a girls’ boarding school into one of the most important educational establishments in the Walloon capital.

The school already offers a range of sport-related options, including sciences-sports-langues and physical education, as well as a bicycle mechanic qualification that provides technical support for the cycling program. Its infrastructure includes two sports halls, a weight room, a football field, and a 100-meter athletics track.

The school’s sporting credentials extend beyond its facilities. In 2021, ISMJ received the European Prize for Innovative Teaching for its Erasmus+ project “Participons tous!”, as L’Avenir reported at the time.

Looking Ahead

The school plans to expand the programs to 4th and 6th year students in August 2027, suggesting long-term commitment to these offerings. For aspiring cyclists and triathletes in the region, the new programs represent a structured pathway to pursue their athletic ambitions while completing their secondary education.

As the school’s director Gauthier Martiat, who also serves as president of the Association of Directors of Free Network Schools in Namur Province (ADINA), has demonstrated through his leadership, the institution continues to strengthen its position as a leading educational establishment in Wallonia. The success of these programs could also inspire other schools in Belgium to develop similar sport-study offerings, potentially reshaping how young athletes balance education and intensive training.