Bridgwater College hosted their annual student Sports Awards recently at the Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Club. More than 100 staff and students came together to celebrate the success of Team BC, recognising the numerous sporting achievements accomplished by students within Team BC Performance, as well as celebrating the participation of those involved with Team BC Active.

Sam Reilly, Head of Sport at Bridgwater College, opened the proceedings and introduced special guest Scott Laird. Scott, originally from Bridgwater, is a professional footballer who plays for Scunthorpe United FC, but is also famously known for scoring a cracking goal again Manchester United in last year’s FA Cup competition, when he was playing Preston North End FC. Scott delivered an inspirational talk to the students, who listened in awe about his great achievements.

The ceremony began with the Team BC Active awards. Team BC Active is the sports provision offered to all students, to encourage them to be physically active. The Team BC Activators are the hard working student volunteers who help to promote and deliver these opportunities to their fellow peers. The Active Team of the Year went to the mixed volleyball team, and Volunteer of the Year, was awarded to Alisha Gardener after her fantastic contribution to college and community sport.

The evening continued with the team awards, with awards for Player of the Year, Players Player of the Year and Coach’s Player of the Year being presented for each of the 11 teams. Some of the award winners included Aerin Phillips, who won Coach’s Player of the Year for netball, Tim Gums who was awarded Players Player of the Year for basketball and Josh Evans, who won Player of the Year for men’s elite football.

Following this was a celebration of those students who had won regional competition in their sports, and went on to represent Bridgwater College, and the region, at the AoC Sport National Championships. This included Alisha Gardener and Harriett Vassalli-Collard for table tennis, Eric Evans for cross country and the male and female trampolining squad. The male and female trampoline squads picked up a silver and bronze medal respectively, with table tennis also receiving the bronze.

The presentation was celebrated the huge success of the first ever Luke Buckingham Varsity Games. The Games celebrated the incredible life of Luke Buckingham, who was Sports Development Manager and Head of Team BC until his very sad passing in October 2015. The Games were introduced to celebrate elite college sport, as well as raise money for Luke’s chosen charities. Bridgwater College and Richard Huish College showcased some fantastic sporting performances, as well as raising over £400 for Bloodwise.

To further celebrate Luke’s fantastic personal and sporting achievements and powerful legacy, the Luke Buckingham Coach of the Year award was won by Dan Wright for his great contribution to College and community football, and his great commitment to Bridgwater Town Reserves.

The ceremony was concluded with prestigious student awards, including Team BC Athlete of the Year, who was presented to Beth Newton. In the previous year Beth won 2 medals at the European Youth Olympic Festival; a bronze and a silver. Last season she was national gold champion in 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke at the British Nationals. Beth also won three medals at the Sainsbury’s school games, one of which was the gold medal in the 200m freestyle and attended trials for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Team BC Captain of the Year was presented to trampolinist Lauren Usher for her great dedication.  

The final award of the night, Team BC Team of the Year, was awarded to the Male Elite football team after winning the AoC Sport Category 2 North league. They then went on to win the Category 2 play-off against Exeter College.

Sam Reilly, Head of Department for Sports, Outdoor Education and Uniformed Public Services at the College said,

“The evening was a terrific culmination of both student and staff dedication to their particular sports. We are extremely proud of all of our students involved in Team BC, whether they are part of our elite and high performing sports teams, or part of the incredible student Team BC Activators. It is no coincidence that a number of our students have received national honours and recognition from their achievements and involvement in Team BC Sport.

“My thanks also go to the fantastic staff within Team BC and the quality provision and opportunities they provide our students week in and week out. It is a testament to their skills and experience and a key reason why Team BC is growing from strength to strength. There is no doubt why talented sport students across the county select Bridgwater College to study and develop their sporting and coaching careers further.”

Holly Buckingham, Land-based Conferencing & Commercial Training Manager at Bridgwater College, and wife to Luke Buckingham said,

“It was an honour to be invited to attend the Sports Awards and present the coaches award in Luke’s name, and I can’t think of a more fitting recipient than Dan Wright, Luke’s right hand man at Bridgwater Town Reserves. It was a privilege to be included in the ceremony and witness the recognition of all that has been achieved in College sport over the past year. It’s truly heart-warming to see so many staff and students doing all that they can to keep Luke’s legacy alive and ensure that better never stops where sport at Bridgwater College is concerned. I know that Luke would be incredibly proud of, and I am truly humbled by, all that they have achieved during a very difficult year.”

Alisha Gardener, Level 3 Sports and Exercise Science student said,

“The Team BC sports awards was a fantastic evening. It was nice to have everyone from all sports there to celebrate the wide variety of talent that Team BC has to offer. It was a wonderful evening and having the photo booth there meant that we were able to capture memories before some of us leave college to take our next steps. The whole evening was really incredible and I know Luke would have been proud of this and of all of our achievements this year. #LukesTeamBC.”

If you would like more information on Team BC, please contact Mason Galloway on gallowaym@bridgwater.ac.uk or 01278 441322. If you would like any information regarding studying at Bridgwater College, please contact the Information and Guidance Team on 01278 441234 or email info@bridgwater.ac.uk.