Cardiff Met striving for more than athletic success

Student talent extends far beyond the track, field and pitches at Cardiff Met. It lives in the click of camera shutters, the pages of sketchbooks, and the laptops of student journalists.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 offered a premier stage to connect these diverse skill sets with real-world application. By integrating its own student designers and media creators into the live international event, Cardiff Met provided a powerful platform for emerging talent; an initiative the university proudly celebrates as a model for hands-on, professional learning.

An opportunity of a lifetime

Prior to the start of the Commonwealth Games, students from the Cardiff Met School of Art and Design partnered with industry leaders Specialist Sports to craft the official leisurewear kit for Team Wales. The project challenged students to translate Welsh heritage, passion, and athletic ambition into narrative-driven apparel.

Dr Bethan Gordan, Dean of the School of Art and Design at Cardiff Met, said,

“We place a huge emphasis on our links with industry.

“Our students gain invaluable experience through working on live briefs, alongside professionals, to equip them with the skills needed for their careers.”

They didn't stop there. For the Games itself, Cardiff Met Sport brought a select group of students to Glasgow, giving them the chance to apply their skills and immerse themselves in the Commonwealth experience while staying at the Team Wales ‘house’.

Digital Media and Marketing Officer for Cardiff Met Sport, Damian Burgess emphasised the practical impact of these initiatives, noting that the exposure gives students valuable work for their professional portfolios.

“One of the things we want to do more of at Cardiff Met is use sport to create opportunities for students beyond those who are competing on the field of play.

“The students brought their own ideas, energy, and skills to the coverage, and we were able to produce far more varied and authentic content because they were involved.”

A platform to prosper

For first year Media and Communications student Grace Evans, attending the Commonwealth Games as a journalist was an opportunity of a lifetime, and one she never saw coming.

“If you had told me at the beginning of my first year that I would be working at the Commonwealth Games, I would've called you crazy,”

Not only did this unique experience give Grace the chance to put her study into practice, it exposed her to working alongside professionals which has influenced both her outlook and drive.

“Cardiff Met Sport did more than give me an opportunity, they believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

“This experience has been surreal... something I will never forget.”

Sports Broadcast Masters student Fathema Khatun, who was also in Glasgow for the Games, added:

“Working in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was an incredible feeling... I'm so grateful to Cardiff Met for the support that helped me get that opportunity.”

For students like Sam Jones, a videographer and one of Fathema’s course mates, participating in the Commonwealth Games was nothing short of transformative.

“To be selected to go up there and to do something I'm passionate about is something you can't compare with anything else.”

The experience offered both a high-level professional environment and a strong sense of community, from the athletic action to the Team Wales house that felt like “a home away from home.”

Working at a major international event allowed Sam to build industry contacts and collaborate directly alongside his peers, providing a stepping stone for his future.

“Being able to put this on my CV is something that money can't buy,” he noted.

Sam credits Cardiff Met with providing its students with the foundation and confidence needed to succeed on such a major stage.

“Cardiff Met has given us that platform to prosper, to grow, to be able to put our skills to the test,” he explained.

He highlighted how live Wednesday streams and working closely with lecturers, technicians, and broadcast specialists, equipped him for the pressure of live sports media.

Reflecting on his journey and the opportunities provided by the university, Sam added:

“They've changed my life considerably... it's something I’ll always be thankful for.”