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A view from behind one of the goals on the 3G football pitch on a sunny day A view from behind one of the goals on the 3G football pitch on a sunny day
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Cardiff Metropolitan University boasts one of the most unique football programmes in the UK. With over 450 male and female student-athletes competing across performance and recreational football, Cardiff Met’s football system prides itself on providing an inclusive offer for its (student-) athletes.

Success is in our DNA, with notable achievements including:

Players that have come through our system in recent years include:

  • Sophie Ingle (Wales Captain and Champions League Winner with Chelsea FC)
  • Will Evans (Mansfield Town)
  • Adam Roscrow (AFC Wimbledon)

In addition, the Club possesses a thriving junior pathway. Our girls’ provision is 1 of only 11 in Wales awarded ‘Academi’ status. Our boys’ provision is one of only 5 ‘Category A Academi’s’ in Wales, recognised for its ability to run an outstanding provision for talented players. The Club also offers a comprehensive recreational programme, with over 150 sign-ups to the Alfie Wollett Cup (men’s) and the launch of a new women’s programme planned for the 25-26 academic year.

Opportunities at Cardiff Met Football Club are not limited to on-pitch performance. We provide a range of opportunities for professional development, inclusive of season-long placements, matchday support, community outreach and coach education.

Staff and Coaches

Our programme is led by Director of Football System, Dr Chris Baker, and supported by several management and performance staff. A list of key staff is listed below:

  • Nick Vanderpump (General Manager)
  • Jack Lyons (Academy & Youth Operations Manager)
  • Eliot Evans (Club & Coaching Lead)
  • Stacey Ayling (Girls Football Co-Ordinator)
  • Ryan Jenkins (Men’s First Team Performance Manager)
  • Jonathan Nash (Women’s Football Head Coach)
  • Eliot Evans (BUCS Head Coach)
  • Craig Hanford (Men’s First Team Coach)
  • Zeke Vivian (Women’s Football Assistant Coach)
  • Anthony Williams (Lead Goalkeeper Coach)
  • Jack Lyons (Development Team Head Coach)
  • Jen Larrick (Women’s U19s Coach)

Performance Programme

Our male and female athletes compete across BUCS Premier and domestic competition. Our men’s performance squad compete annually in the Cymru Premier League, Welsh Cup and League Cup. Involvement in Wales’ top tier of football provides the opportunity to qualify for European competition; a feat last achieved by the Club in 2019. In addition, the Club boasts a rich history in BUCS competition, being crowned National Champions on two occasions. Our women’s performance squad have been equally successful, winning BUCS on six occasions, being crowned champions of Wales twice and competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on two occasions.

Performance athletes at Cardiff Met are supported to achieve success at the highest level possible within the sport. The support provided depends on the athlete’s performance level, with athletes fitting into two tiers of support: Tier 1 – ‘Performance Archers’ & Tier 2 – ‘Pathway Archers’.

As well as benefiting from access to exclusive performance facility training times, performance programme members receive a wealth of support provisions, including coverage across the following areas:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Soft Tissue Therapy
  • Exposure to Pro-Licence Coaching
  • Performance Analysis
  • Strength & Conditioning
  • Performance Athlete Lifestyle and Education support
  • Physiology
  • Biomechanics
  • Psychology
  • Nutrition

Scholarships are given to high-performing athletes as a cash award each year. Scholarships are readily available for female athletes, with early applications encouraged.

The Cymru Premier squad play within a professional league where all players over 19 years of age are contracted and receive remuneration. Scholarships are available for male athletes under exceptional circumstances and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Our staff identify potential scholars as part of the admissions cycle and through applications made for Performance Sport Scholarships.

Cardiff Met’s Performance Sport Offer Policy details eligibility criteria for athletes interested in competing within the performance pathway. Information relating to contextual offers can be found in our Performance Sport Offer Policy.

Performance football related enquiries should be sent to CBaker3@Cardiffmet.ac.uk.

Club

Our performance squads are supplemented with teams competing in BUCS and domestic leagues. Our men’s provision includes an additional 5 BUCS teams, whilst our women’s pathway has one additional squad. Domestically, our men’s provision comprises U21 and U19 squads; the latter annually competing for qualification into the UEFA Youth League. Our women’s provision also encompasses an U19s squad. Trials are held annually for squad selection, with transition up or down the pathway based on performance.

Juniors

The football system possesses a revered junior provision with over 300 participants. Our thriving pathway consists of 5 girls’ teams and 10 boys teams. Our girls’ provision is 1 of only 11 in Wales awarded ‘Academi’ status. Our boys’ provision is one of only 5 ‘Category A Academi’s’ in Wales, recognised for its ability to run an outstanding provision for talented players. The football system works in conjunction with Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences and Cardiff School of Management to provide placement opportunities for students across numerous disciplines, inclusive of coaching, management, media, marketing and sports science.

Recreational

The Club also offers a comprehensive recreational programme, with over 150 sign-ups to the Alfie Wollett Cup (men’s) and the launch of a new women’s programme planned for the 25-26 academic year.

Opportunities at Cardiff Met Football Club are not limited to on-pitch performance. We provide a range of opportunities for professional development, inclusive of season-long placements, matchday support, community outreach and coach education.

Events (Annual)

The football system hosts annual conversion events and webinars to provide prospective students insights into football at Cardiff Met. As a minimum, the football system will host: