Years of hard work on the training ground seem to be paying off for Tre Ming.

The Thomas College midfielder and captain, one of several Bermudians on the school’s roster, has been chosen as the 2015 North Atlantic Conference Player of the Year.

“I am definitely thankful and very grateful to earn this honour to say the least,” Ming said. “This has been a long time coming and I guess when you work hard you get what you deserve.”

Ming, who represented Bermuda in the Island’s World Cup qualifiers this year, has scored six times for Thomas College this season, and has had a hand in creating 20 goals. He is ranked number one in the United States for assists per game and second for assists.

Last weekend saw the player help guide Thomas College to its fourth NAC Championship title in six years, scoring twice from the penalty spot and assisting in two goals to earn tournament MVP and NAC Player of the Week honours.

“As a team I think we have been better this season than in previous ones,” Ming added. “Our programmes has been going nowhere but up — especially with the freshmen putting in the work and the bright future and potential they have and have showcased this season.

“I definitely want to give recognition to our programme and all of the other Bermudians over here who I feel do not get the recognition they deserve. We basically have a Bermudian team out here, which is great.”

Ming and his team-mates, who posted an overall 13-4-1 record during the regular season, will make their fourth NCAA Division III Championship appearance in six seasons when they face regional hosts Brandeis University in today’s first round in Boston, Massachusetts.

Thomas College are winless in three previous appearances in the tournament, a streak Ming hopes to see come to an end this time around.

“It will be nice to win that,” he said.

Locally, Ming plays for PHC Zebras who clinched a seventh Dudley Eve Trophy title this week courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Robin Hood in the final at Wellington Oval.

“I couldn’t be more excited on this side for PHC and wish I could have played,” Ming said. “It’s just been a long time coming for PHC and I am glad we could finally remind everyone what we can achieve.”