Cardiff Met graduate and dual Wales international Nia Jones inducted into Welsh Sports Hall of Fame

Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate and former Wales netball captain Nia Jones has been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, recognising an outstanding sporting career representing her country in both netball and football.

Jones, who studied Sport and Physical Education at Cardiff Met, has enjoyed a remarkable career across two sports, representing Wales at three Commonwealth Games, captaining her country at the 2023 Netball World Cup and earning 30 international football caps.

Speaking to Cardiff Met Sport TV students at the ceremony, Jones revealed that her induction had come as something of a surprise.

"I thought I was just here to help celebrate 150 years of the FAW," she explained.

Having previously attended the ceremony to support former teammates, Jones admitted that joining the distinguished list of Welsh sporting figures was a surreal experience.

"I've been here a couple of times before to be in support of a couple of teammates of mine in the past, and just been in awe of the names on the list and the people in the room.

"It's very surreal, but I'm so proud to be Welsh and so proud to have represented my country in both the sports that I love more than anything."

Originally from North Wales, Jones began playing netball at Mold Netball Club at the age of 11 before progressing through the Manchester Thunder youth system and Junior Dragons.

She arrived at Cardiff Met in 2010, combining her university studies with her developing sporting career. During her time at the University, she captained the Cardiff Met netball team to BUCS Championship success, an early achievement in a career that would take her to the highest levels of international competition.

Her ability extended beyond the netball court. Jones also established herself as a Wales football international and was named the Football Association of Wales Women's Young Player of the Year in 2011, while playing for Cardiff City Ladies.

Over the following decade, Jones became an established figure in Welsh netball, competing internationally as a wing defence and goal defence. She represented Wales at the Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, while also enjoying a lengthy Netball Super League career with teams including Celtic Dragons, Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Dragons.

One of the defining moments of her international career came in 2023, when she was selected to captain the Welsh Feathers at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town. It was Jones' first World Cup appearance and marked Wales' return to the tournament after an eight-year absence.

Following the conclusion of her elite netball career in 2024, Jones returned to football, joining Swansea City Women after previously playing in the English Women's Super League for Reading and Yeovil Town.

Her extensive experience across both sports has also helped her establish a career in sports broadcasting. In 2025, she joined ITV's commentary team for the UEFA Women's European Championship, bringing her international sporting knowledge to audiences watching one of the biggest tournaments in women's football.

Jones has also remained connected to Cardiff Met, contributing to the University's ArcHER programme, which supports greater understanding of female health and performance in sport.

Her induction into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame celebrates not only her achievements as a dual international, but also her contribution to the development and visibility of women's sport in Wales.

For Cardiff Met, her career demonstrates the opportunities available to student athletes and the lasting contribution that former Archers continue to make to Welsh sport.