Bridgwater College have continued to provide students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience through volunteering by being a part of the Team BC Activators.

The Activators take on key roles to plan, co-ordinate, deliver and promote sports and activities across the College to their peers. In particular, the team will look to encourage semi and non-sporty students to take part in some form of physical activity to increase the amount of exercise they do a week. The Activators will deliver social and informal sessions, as well as providing students who are keen to play against other teams the opportunity to participate in intra/intercollege competitions.

In its third year, the Team BC Activators have seen more students than ever apply to be a part of the team, with each student having to go through an application and interview process. The successful candidates showed enthusiasm, commitment, initiative and the potential to be great sports leaders. Due to the increase in numbers, we were encouraged to change the structure of the team, with students having specific roles and focuses to increase participation across college. Second year students were also able to progress on from last year’s involvement by mentoring those that have become new to the team this year.

• Ben Squires, Mentor and Disability Sport Delivery Activator
• Caleb Staple, Mentor and Disability Sport/Trampolining Delivery Activator
• Becca Cox, Mentor and Disability Sport Delivery Activator
• Sophie Sherring, Mentor and Disability Sport/Football Delivery Activator
• Matt Renshaw, Assistant Mentor and Football Activator
• Lauren Norman, Assistant Mentor and Football Activator
• Ella Beauchamp, Trampolining and Disability Sport Delivery Activator
• Shannon Coate, Disability Sport Delivery Activator
• Laura Jordon, Volleyball Delivery Activator
• Alisha Gardener, Handball and Disability Sport Delivery Activator
• Hannah Toal, Handball and Disability Sport Delivery Activator
• Natalia Plywacz, Basketball and Volleyball Delivery Activator
• Charlie Fouracres, Handball Delivery Activator
• Zack Mitchell, Badminton Delivery Activator
• James Norris, Football Delivery Activator
• Daniel Carnell, Specific Groups Delivery Activator
• Aylin Mehmed, Volleyball Delivery Activator
• Tilly Heal, Specific Groups Delivery Activator
• Tanzy Watkins, Trampolining and Specific Groups Delivery Activator
• Dominique Creedy, Specific Groups Delivery Activator
• Dave Rafferty-Bugg, Specific Groups Delivery Activator
• Sean Mattravers, Promotions and Wheelchair Basketball Delivery Activator
• Connor Cornell, Promotions and Wheelchair Basketball Delivery Activator

Being part of the Activators allows students to gain coaching experience in a variety of sports, develop management, organisation and inter-personal skills. However, the college are keen to reward students for their time and dedication and having a good relationship with the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), enables the college to subsidise coaching qualifications for the students. There is also the opportunity to link with the Media Academy3 on projects and jobs such as match reporting, creating promotional videos for Active classes and media coverage for the Somerset County Cricket Club, who the College also has links with.

Carly Martin, College Spots Maker at Bridgwater College said,

“Being a part of the Team BC Activators gives students the opportunity to build on their coaching experiences and discover their true passions. The volunteers in this programme are key to help engage students across college to be more physically active and it is a pleasure to see them develop as coaches and young leaders.”

Sophie Sherring, Level 3 Public Services student and Team BC Activator said,

“I have learnt a lot since being on the team, it has got me involved in various different events from which I have been able to develop my skills in sport. I have also started delivering sports sessions and so feel more confident in this area! I have and will continue to learn whilst being a part of this team.”

If you would like more information about becoming an Activator or about the Team BC Active sessions they offer, you can contact Team BC Activators Manager and College Sports Maker, Carly Martin on martinc@bridgwater.ac.uk.