STUDENTS from Bridgwater College celebrated an outstanding year of sporting achievements at the Team BC Sports Awards at Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Club.

The presentation was also attended by professional footballer Scott Laird and professional BMX Flatlander Matti Hemmings.

Laird, who attended Robert Blake School in Bridgwater, talked to students about how he became a professional footballer and his battle to return to full fitness after breaking his leg.

Hemmings, who holds the world record for the most ‘Cliffhanger Spins’ in one minute, shared his experiences of working for Nickelodeon and the work he did for the London Olympic Torch Relay, while also treating the students and coaches to a live performance, demonstrating some of his most complex moves.

Sports and Exercise Science student Jade Barry won the Team BC Sports Personality of the Year award for her outstanding athletic ability in representing the college in multiple disciplines, including football, netball and hockey.

Tom Britton received the Team BC Active Coach of the Year award for his excellent contribution to the Team BC Active Programme, delivering and organising numerous intra-college events throughout the year, including Boccia and Ability Counts Football, while also winning the British College Sport South-West Male Volunteer of the Year award.

A new award, Elite Performer of the Year, was won by Team GB Swimmer and national age group record holder Charlie Attwood, who narrowly pipped England under-17 rugby player Dan Frost and double BCS Squash National gold medallist Rhianne O’Donnell.

Team BC Team of the Year was won by rugby after they clinched the BCS South-West Division Two League Title, winning 11 of their 12 games, while trampolining coach Helen Peregrine-Wheller won the Coach of the Year award after leading her squad to the Southern Zonal Championship.

Tom Judge, 18, of Bridgwater, who scooped Coaches Player for Team BC Elite Football, said: “The Team BC Awards Evening was an extremely fun and well organised night, and the special guests were great.

“Scott Laird and Matti Hemmings provided some really interesting talks about their careers so far and what they’ve had to do to get where they are today.”