Ashleigh Barnikel Proud to Wear Cardiff Met-Designed Team Wales Kit

Cardiff Met alumna Ashleigh Barnikel says pulling on the Team Wales kit has made the build-up to Glasgow 2026 feel even more special as she prepares to represent Wales in judo at the Commonwealth Games.

Barnikel was among the Welsh athletes attending Team Wales Kitting Out at the ICC in Newport, where athletes collected their official kit, took part in media activity and came together as part of the wider Games squad. For the Welsh judoka, the day was another proud step towards Glasgow.

“I think it’s really exciting,” said Barnikel. “It’s a special experience coming and getting to wear the kit for Wales. We’ve seen a couple of snippets of it when we’ve been to certain events beforehand, but being able to see it all now is really something special.”

The kit has already become a talking point among the athletes, with Barnikel joking that the bucket hats have gone down particularly well. More importantly, she said wearing the Welsh dragon carries real meaning as the team prepares to compete on the Commonwealth stage.

“The bucket hats are really cool,” she said. “I think everyone’s liking them. We get to wear the dragons, so obviously it’s a proud moment for Wales.”

For Barnikel, the Team Wales kit also carries a Cardiff Met connection. The official kit has been designed by Cardiff Met student Jake Rowley, while a number of students from the University were involved in the wider design process. As a former Cardiff Met student herself, Barnikel said seeing that creative contribution come to life made the experience even more meaningful.

“Coming from Cardiff Met, one of the designers has come from Cardiff Met,” she said. “It’s the uni that I went to, and they’ve got so much help from a sporting perspective, but also to have that more artistic flavour as well, I think being able to see something come to life and be able to wear it is truly something special.”

That sense of Welsh identity is central to the kit and to Barnikel’s own Games journey. With the design incorporating elements of Wales’ history, she said the athletes now have the opportunity to write their own chapter in Glasgow.

“To incorporate a little bit of Wales’ history, we’re making our own history by competing at the Games, but also to have that on your kit is so special,” she added.

Barnikel heads into the Games feeling confident after a strong block of preparation. With the main work now done, her focus is on the final details before competition begins.

“I’m feeling excited,” she said. “I think the hard work has been done. Obviously, there’s a little bit left of polishing to do, but I think we’ve had the right stepping stones leading up to the Games, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how it pans out.”

As Glasgow 2026 approaches, Barnikel’s journey is another proud Cardiff Met story within Team Wales, combining performance, Welsh identity and the wider creative contribution of the University’s students.