Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) Sports & Exercise Science student Neo has proven himself a standout athlete for Team BTC.
Neo’s performance has been remarkable throughout a busy academic year, culminating in an impressive performance at the Association of Colleges (AoC) National Championships.
Neo’s successful table tennis season began last October when he secured victory at the AoC South West regional tournament. This win not only highlighted his dominance against competitors from colleges across the South West, but also earned him the honour of representing the region at the AoC National Championships.
Demonstrating consistent skill and determination, Neo progressed onto representing BTC at the South West Schools and Colleges tournament earlier this year, where he battled to earn a well-deserved silver medal.
Most recently, Neo travelled to University of Nottingham to compete against the nation’s finest college players at the prestigious AoC National Championships. Despite facing formidable opposition in a challenging group, Neo achieved an impressive individual 4th place finish. His performance, combined with the efforts of his teammates, contributed significantly to the South West team securing 3rd place overall in the competition.
Neo’s triumph continues the strong legacy of success Team BTC Table Tennis has enjoyed in recent years.
Reflecting on the national event, Neo commented,
It was an incredible experience to witness so many different sports being played at one of the best sporting venues I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere was electric, and it made the entire weekend unforgettable. Even though I didn’t come out on top in every match, I truly enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to compete at such a high level. It was a weekend filled with learning, growth, and great memories, and I’m grateful for every moment, win or lose.
As a Sports Scholarship student at BTC, Neo benefits significantly from the College’s comprehensive support systems, including the Talented Athlete Support Scheme (TASS).
All sports scholars at BTC receive substantial backing: their Team BTC fees are covered, they receive a sports performance kit, have the opportunity for additional financial support, and, crucially, benefit from dedicated strength and conditioning coaching to enhance their performance.
For Neo, his tailored strength and conditioning sessions included 1:1 coaching, specifically targeting improvements in power while maintaining the crucial mobility and stability required for high-level table tennis. Neo acknowledges this as a key factor to his success, alongside bespoke technical training.
Neo also trains weekly with Scott Bellinger, PGA Golf Professional, as a part of the BTC Golf Academy, further highlighting his athletic versatility and the breadth of opportunities available at BTC.
BTC will continue to support Neo, the TASS programme, and the Sports Scholarship initiative, which is designed to provide dedicated support, helping talented athletes like Neo manage the demands of high-level sport alongside their academic commitments. This ensures they can excel both in their studies, and within their sporting endeavours.
BTC extends their congratulations to Neo for many incredible performances over the course of the year.
For more information on Team BTC, Sport Scholarships and BTC’s multitude of educational offerings, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the Information & Advice team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk.
