Basketball

Cardiff Met is one of the leading basketball universities in the UK, competing in the top tier of Women’s British Basketball through Super League Basketball (SLB) and Women’s Premier League (WPL), as well as at National League Division 1 level with our men’s programme. We also compete in the Premier division of BUCS with our men and women alongside having additional teams to enable opportunity to play.

As a student-athlete at Cardiff Met, you’ll join one of the most established and respected university basketball programmes in the UK. The Archers pathway supports players from beginner to elite level, with a proven track record of developing talent for international performance.

Membership includes access to outstanding training facilities, expert coaching, and competition across BUCS and national leagues. For those new or returning to the sport, the club also offers a vibrant recreational programme — including opportunities to compete in local leagues in a fun and supportive environment.

Alongside playing opportunities, we encourage students to develop in a variety of capacities, including coaching, officiating, management, and event delivery. This provides valuable hands-on experience within a high-performing environment, supporting personal development and future career pathways.

Our basketball programme is led by Head of Basketball, Sarah Wagstaff, with Head Coaches Stef Collins (Women), James Dawe (Men), and Tom Elliott-Smith (Wheelchair Basketball) guiding their respective teams. They are supported by former Director of Basketball and Senior Lecturer, Lucy Witt, Basketball Co-ordinator, Elen Morris Mullins, and Disability and Inclusive Sport Co-ordinator, Jo Coates-McGrath.

Alongside our core staff, we work with a dedicated team of casual coaches who bring energy, expertise, and passion to both our student squads and our thriving junior programme.

Performance Programme

Cardiff Met Archers have a proud tradition of developing international players and competing at the highest level of British basketball. Both our Women’s and Wheelchair Basketball programmes form part of the University’s Performance Sport offering.

Through the performance programme, our top student-athletes receive access to elite coaching, specialist performance services, and individually tailored development plans designed to help them excel on and off the court.

Events (Annual)

Alongside weekly fixtures, Archers Basketball host a range of events throughout the year, including:

• Varsity vs Bath University
• Annual 24-hour charity Fundraiser
• Annual Alumni event
• Welsh National Team Academy
• Camps for juniors and national league level athletes 

Basketball Club

The Archers club provides opportunities for all levels:

• Performance: Competing in SLB, WPL, NBL D1 and BUCS
• Club Teams: Basketball Wales Nationale League (BWNL), English National League (NBL), South Wales Basketball League (SWBA), West of England Basketball (WEBBA) and BUCS.
• Recreational: Student-led intramural and training sessions for beginners, alumni or social players

Juniors

Cardiff Met Archers runs one of the largest and most comprehensive junior basketball programmes in the UK, offering opportunities for players from Under 8 through to Under 18. The junior pathway is fully connected to our senior structure, providing young athletes with a clear route into National League, university, and professional basketball, while also creating a vibrant community that supports growth both on and off the court.

Our programme includes sessions for all abilities, with competitive opportunities across local leagues for every age group. At the performance level, boys’ and girls’ teams represent the Archers in National League competitions from U14 to U18.

We are also proud to run a thriving Junior Wheelchair Basketball programme, with teams competing at U14 and U18 level. In addition to this we run a session for young people and adults with additional learning needs, ensuring inclusive opportunities across the pathway.