Team BTC hosted the highly anticipated Sports Awards 2022/23, to honour outstanding student-athletes. The awards ceremony recognised and celebrated the remarkable achievements of the college’s athletes who have pushed the boundaries of sporting excellence, displaying unmatched talent, dedication, and perseverance throughout the year.

The event was a tribute to the college’s sports academies and the hard work and determination of the student-athletes who have become inspirations for aspiring athletes. With excitement and anticipation in the air, the winners of the awards were announced, making the evening an unforgettable one for all those who attended.

The Team BTC Sports Awards 2022/23 highlighted the college’s commitment to fostering sports excellence and supporting its student-athletes in achieving their goals.

The worthy winners are as follows:

Players’ Player of the Year 2022/23

• Netball 1: Sofia Dias
• Netball 2: Emily Pike
• Trampolining: Maddie Rawles
• Men’s 1 Football: Sully McKenna
• Men’s 2 Football: Toby Lee
• Men’s 3 Football: Tatenda Gumbo
• Women’s Football: Halle Arnold
• Women’s Rugby: Chloe Stone
• Men’s Rugby: Alfie Hodge
• Basketball: James Giddens

Coaches’ Player of the Year 2022/23

• Netball 1: Ellie Hooper
• Netball 2: Lucy Steele
• Trampolining: Luke Jowett
• Men’s 1 Football: Ryan Hibbert
• Men’s 2 Football: Leo James
• Men’s 3 Football: Victor Matsitsiro
• Women’s Football: Ellie Mitchell
• Women’s Rugby: Maya Thomas
• Men’s Rugby: Jacob Parker
• Basketball: Ben Rowswell

Highlight Awards 2022/23

• Mark Tucker Cup: Brad Pfupa
• Jean Marchant Cup: Ellie Hooper
• Hall of Fame: Luke Buckingham
• Luke Buckingham Coach of the Year: Alisha Gardener
• Captain of the Year: Sully McKenna
• Sports Personality of the Year: Katie Garratt
• Athlete of the Year: Katie Sharkey
• Team of the Year: Men’s Rugby

Katie Garratt, Level 3 Sports Coaching student said,

It is a real privilege to have been awarded Sports Personality of the Year, I am extremely proud. It was great to have everyone together to celebrate all the success of Team BTC. Joining Team BTC has been one of the best experiences of my playing career. It has been an honour to represent Team BTC and the women’s football team while upholding the mantra ‘better never stops’. I have seen myself grow both as an athlete and a BTC Activator.

Jamie Laird, Team BTC Manager said,

I feel extremely proud to be part of such a great programme and college. We celebrated Team BTC students becoming national winners, Team GB athletes, receiving county caps, developing and progressing in their ability and more. It was a very powerful afternoon and a credit to the students’ achievements. It was also a privilege to induct our former Sports Development Manager, Luke Buckingham, into the Team BTC Hall of Fame, Bob, Gill, and Holly Buckingham received the award. We wish all our students the very best in their future ventures and look forward to following their journeys.

Assistant Principal for Land-Based, Sport and Foundation Learning, Jason Gunningham said,

This year has been another stella year of fantastic achievements right across Team BTC. It has been brilliant to see our student athletes shine and compete in the top tier of England Colleges sport with many progressing their sporting performances within our partnership club performance pathways, along with some truly brilliant personal achievements on the national and international stage.

The colleges sports scholarship provision has supported several students to compete in national competitions, represent national teams and supported further training opportunities for our athlete scholars. It has also been pleasing to celebrate the recent national Colleges championship successes with our women’s football team being crowned national champions, and gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to our table tennis, trampolining, boccia, and cross-country athletes and teams.

All these achievements pay testament to the student’s dedication and hard work towards their Team BTC performance programmes, supported by the brilliant staff and coaches that support our athlete scholars to combine their academic studies with high level sports performance programmes. I congratulate them all on another fantastic and successful year that again shines the light on the amazing experiences and accolades students at Bridgwater and Taunton College have and receive.

Congratulations to all our athletes for an incredible season!

If you want more information about our sport courses and academies, visit www.btc.ac.uk or call 01278 441234.