Celebrating Wales’ Sporting University

Cardiff Met celebrated its emergence as Wales’ Sporting University at an event on Cyncoed campus which also marked the announcement of the Wales team to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Professor Rachael Langford, Vice-Chancellor, told the audience:

“Our launch of Cardiff Met as Wales’ Sporting University is an exciting opportunity to look to the future while also recognising our heritage of almost 70 years of commitment to excellence in sport performance and sport development in Wales. As Wales' Sporting University, we do more than just support excellence in performance at the highest level; we are fundamental to developing the talent, ideas, and opportunities that shape the future of sport in Wales and beyond.”

At the heart of the Cardiff Met’s vision is collaboration, such as the award‑winning leadership programme, developed with Team Wales and delivered through the School of Sport and Health Sciences, empowering the next generation of leaders, particularly women in sport, equipping them with the skills, confidence and experience to make an impact. More than 50 students have already contributed directly through placements, internships and collaborative projects. The partnership spans everything from leadership development to performance support and has been recognised internationally.

Cardiff Met’s approach is distinctive: students aren’t just learning about sport, they are actively shaping it.

• Design students played a key role in creating Team Wales’ official kit.
• Technology and performance students have supported athletes through cutting-edge analysis and preparation.
• Others have secured internships across Team Wales and the wider Commonwealth movement.

Cardiff Met has a long tradition of supporting world-class performers and is proud of a strong cohort of current and former students, staff and affiliates coaches and support teams representing Team Wales and other nations at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Through initiatives like school engagement programmes, outreach coaching, and community partnerships, Cardiff Met is also helping to inspire the next generation, creating pathways into sport for young people.

Professor Langford said: “The role we play in the Welsh sporting ecosystem is central to success on the pitch, court, track, in the pool and on the water, but we are also actively leading the creation of an integrated system where national programmes, elite teams, students, and communities can connect and thrive together, a system that connects performance sport with education, research, and community activity and engagement. Our commitment as Wales' Sporting University is to recognise and develop this system-wide, locally and globally connected approach for the benefit of Wales and the wider world now and long into the future. On behalf of everyone at Cardiff Met, I would like to wish all athletes, coaches and the wider Team Wales staff every success at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.”

Helen Phillips, CEO of Team Wales, paid tribute to the strong partnership with Cardiff Met: “I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the outstanding partnership we have, and Cardiff Met’s commitment to our ideas and vision.”

And a panel including current Cardiff Met student Morgan Griffiths, Suzy Drane, senior lecturer in Sport Development, alumni Sue Butler (Head of Sport at S4C) and Caroline Spanton (CEO of Beicio Cymru), and Aled Lewis. Head of PE at Ysgol Edern, chaired by media graduate Gabriella Dukes, spoke about the positive influence of Cardiff Met sport on individuals and the wider community.