From School Spirit to Olympic Dreams: The Journey of a LANNA Alumnus
Tobias “Toby” van Nes is the recipient of LANNA’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Community Award, recognised for his outstanding contributions to healthcare and international sport through his work with the NHS and elite Paralympic and Olympic athletes.
He accepted the award and delivered the commencement address at LANNA’s 2025 graduation ceremony, inspiring the next generation with his journey and message of purpose!
Toby, a 2012 LANNA graduate, pursued a career in physiotherapy, influenced by his passion for biology and sports. He works with the NHS and in sports physiotherapy, including with Japanese Paralympic fencers and the GB Olympic Team. Toby received a BSc in Human Sciences from University College London in 2015 and a MSc in Physiotherapy from Brunel University London in 2018.
Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Toby about his inspiring career and reflections on LANNA.
What were some of your favorite memories and experiences during your time at LANNA?
Some of my favorite memories include the small, close-knit community feel where everyone knew each other. It was like a second family. I particularly remember the all-school events and sports days that brought everyone together. The school was growing during my time there, and even though it was a smaller campus then, I recall the excitement of new additions like the dome over the basketball court.
One standout memory was our Principal, who would stand at the entrance every morning and greet every student by name, which made the school feel very personal and caring. My class was one of the smallest in 2012, which allowed for very personalized learning experiences. The teachers were incredibly supportive, and I especially enjoyed activities like being in a band and participating in music-related events with teachers like Mr. Lindsay.
LANNA played a major role in shaping my academic and personal journey. The school’s small class sizes provided an incredibly personalized learning experience, almost like one-to-one tutoring. I did well academically, particularly with IGCSEs and A-levels, which allowed me to choose subjects I was passionate about.
The supportive teachers were important in my development. They encouraged me to think beyond Thailand for my education and helped me build confidence. For instance, Mr. Alex, the counselor, supported my decision to pursue higher education abroad. This guidance was pivotal in my becoming the first from my class to study internationally.
The school’s international environment and caring community taught me the importance of personal connections and pursuing my interests. My diverse subject choices – biology, English literature, and history – reflected the school’s flexibility and support for individual learning paths. This approach helped me develop a broad perspective and ultimately led me to study human sciences at UCL and become a physiotherapist.
LANNA instilled in me a sense of curiosity, community, and the belief that I could pursue my goals, which has been fundamental to my journey.
Tell me about your work with the NHS and then your role with the fencing in Japanese paralytic teams…
After completing my physiotherapy degree, I started working with the NHS as a junior physiotherapist, doing rotations through different departments. While I was interested in various physiotherapy fields, I was particularly drawn to sports-related physiotherapy.
I began working part-time with local rugby clubs and then connected with a sports therapist at a fencing center. This led to an exciting opportunity working with a top Japanese Paralympic wheelchair fencer who was ranked in the top three globally. I supported her through competitions, traveling together and providing physiotherapy care.
The experience was incredible – I traveled with her and her coach, even attending the Tokyo Olympics (though COVID-19 made it challenging). This work eventually led to my current role with Great Britain’s fencing team.
In 2023, which was a pre-Olympic year, I traveled to 14 different countries supporting the team. I maintain a flexible work schedule, working three days a week with the NHS and spending weekends traveling and supporting athletes. It’s been an amazing journey from local sports support to working with Paralympic and national athletes, combining my passion for sports and physiotherapy.
What exciting goals or milestones are on the horizon in your professional journey?
One of my major goals is to work with GB Fencing, especially as we prepare for the next Olympics in Los Angeles. That’s a very exciting prospect. On the NHS side of things, I’m also considering stepping into a managerial role. We’ll see where the journey takes me!
What advice would you impart onto LANNA students?
LANNA helped me discover what I truly enjoy and nurtured that into a genuine passion. That foundation guided me through university and shaped the career path I’ve built for myself. My advice would be: Surround yourself with people who inspire and support your passion, because when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work, and success naturally follows. And always aim to do something that helps others. Even on tough days, knowing you’ve made a positive impact (no matter how small) makes it all worthwhile.
How do you stay connected to the LANNA community?
I stay connected through LANNA’s social media pages, and I’m fortunate that many of my former classmates and I have remained close. Even though we’ve ended up in different parts of the world, the bonds we built at LANNA are strong. Conversations pick up naturally, even after time apart. Being based in London also helps, as it’s such a central hub and a popular place for visits!
What does winning the Alumni Award mean to you?
It’s an honour. I was actually shocked – I didn’t know it was a thing! It’s nice to have recognition but I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without LANNA supporting me. It’s a full circle moment. It’s a very heartwarming feeling.
LANNA is incredibly proud of all that Toby has achieved, and we wish him every success and happiness in the journey ahead!
