Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) were proud to announce that Sport & Exercise Science Student Jack Hooper signed to Bristol City Football Club on a two-year scholarship.

This pivotal moment in Hooper’s career comes after his notable involvement with Team BTC and outstanding performances in national competitions.

Hooper demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication on the field, leading to his selection for the England Colleges U18s. His journey to the national squad began with a successful South-west trial at SGS College, where he showcased his talents among the region’s most promising players.

His prowess on the field did not go unnoticed, propelling him to the final trial at Shrewsbury College. There, he competed in 11 v 11 matches against some of the country’s finest young talents, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in football.

Jack commented,

Team BTC have been very supportive with my education, getting the most out of me in classes and allowing me to learn a lot in the most productive way. Football wise, Team BTC have given me a lot of opportunities surrounded by the best coaches and amazing players leading us to success with a very long unbeaten run, being top of the Saturday league.

We were competitive and unbeaten in the AoC Wednesday League with good performances week in week out. Then, a fantastic FA Youth Cup run. Overall, Team BTC has enabled this opportunity for me to play for Bristol City, so for the future I have to repay that and make everyone there even more proud and keep pushing myself further.

Mo Hopkins, Men’s Football Performance Lead, said,

Jack first came to my attention playing District Schools Football, where we tend to recruit a number of our student athletes. Jack displayed a solid game, good passing range and composure on the ball. He subsequently earned selection for the Somerset County Schools team where he played alongside several of his future college teammates. From there Jack came into Team BTC U18s where he enjoyed a full pre-season coming in four times a week, where we played fixtures exposing the players to senior opponents, academy teams, or other U18s sides. All this in conjunction with a training and S&C program.

Jack embraced it all and grew in stature with every experience. This seasons group are full of characters and Jack was very much an important part of the team. We had an excellent FA Cup run, plus unbeaten in both our league campaigns. Jack’s contributions will be missed but fully appreciated by his teammates, plus all the sports staff and curriculum wish him the very best in an exciting journey with Bristol City.

The culmination of Hooper’s hard work and talent was highlighted in his performances in the FA Youth Cup. His impressive displays were key in capturing the attention of Bristol City FC, leading to a trial with the club. Since then, Hooper has already represented Bristol City FC in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup and prestigious premier league clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur.

Jack Hooper’s signing is a testament to Bristol City FC’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to excel at the highest levels of football. His journey from local trials to national representation and now to a professional football club is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.

If you are interested in playing football during February Half Term, check out out Sports Development Days where you can learn from our fantastic coaches and use our exceptional facilities.

For more information about studying at Bridgwater & Taunton College, please contact the Information and Guidance team at 01278 441234 or visit www.btc.ac.uk.