Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) and Middlezoy Rovers Football Club are thrilled to announce a significant new partnership, uniting their efforts to create an unparalleled pathway for football development in Somerset.
The collaboration marks a pivotal moment for football in the region, promising enhanced opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
This exciting alliance will see Team BTC and Middlezoy Rovers FC work closely together to provide a comprehensive and progressive football experience. The partnership builds upon an existing relationship that has previously seen Middlezoy Rovers FC utilise the College’s state-of-the-art training facilities.
Building on Team BTC’s award-winning Dual Career Student-Athlete programme, this new partnership promises a continuation of the very best educational experiences alongside an elite player development scheme. So far, this has led to multiple student-athletes representing England colleges, gaining professional contracts in the UK, and securing scholarships to the USA.
A key benefit of this collaboration will be the creation of an enhanced player pathway, offering seamless progression for talented young players from the College’s programmes into senior football at Middlezoy Rovers. This provides students with crucial experience and a clear route to semi-professional football.
The partnership will also foster a collaborative environment for coaching staff, allowing for the sharing of expertise and best practices. This exchange of knowledge, combined with continued access for all Middlezoy teams to BTC’s elite training facilities, will ensure the implementation of advanced training methodologies and high-quality preparation for all players.
Fundamentally, the collaboration is designed to support the development of future talent by identifying and nurturing emerging players with the academic support and footballing infrastructure they need to reach their full potential. By combining resources, both organisations also aim to strengthen their community engagement, offering more inclusive player opportunities and promoting wider participation in football across all local demographics.
As part of this new development, Mo Hopkins, Football Development Manager at BTC, will take up the reigns as Middlezoy Rovers FC 1st Team Manager. This appointment will not only support the player transitions from BTC, but also support the development of current senior players at the club.
Another exciting part of this development is the creation of a combined squad to participate in the U18 FA Youth Cup, building upon BTC’s prior success in FA Youth Cup runs, where Mo has led the team to back-to-back First Round Proper appearances against Football League academies.
Mo Hopkins expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership,
We’re always looking at enhancing the provisions we provide for the students. Linking with Middlezoy Rovers provides a greater variety of opportunity for more players. We’ve now got a pathway to either play South East Peninsula League, Southwest Counties Youth League, or Uhlsport County League on a Saturday.
Coupling this with our College commitment to the England Colleges Football Association South West Premier League, we are in a strong position to produce some fantastic student-athletes. Competition is healthy, and for both the current players, plus aspiring players, the aim is to drive everything forwards.
Craig Berry, Chairman of Middlezoy Rovers FC, added,
When an opportunity presents itself to develop and progress the whole club, you have to be excited about the long-term future. As a club, we believe we have found the partnership required in our steady progression on-and-off the pitch. Local supporters and players should be excited about the opportunities this partnership and player pathway will offer.
This strategic alliance underscores both BTC and Middlezoy Rover FC’s dedication to fostering excellence in football, and promoting healthy, active lifestyles within the community. The partnership of these two respected entities promises a bright future for football in the region.
For more information on Sport 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.
