Cardiff Met Talent Shines as Wales Women Make Successful GB Masters Debut

Cardiff played host to the 28th GB Masters Basketball Championships this weekend, with Wales entering a Women's 40+ team for the first time and enjoying a highly successful campaign, winning three of their four games. 

The team was led by Cardiff Met's Head of Basketball, Sarah Wagstaff, who coached the side throughout the tournament. The squad's strong performances reflected not only the quality of Welsh basketball but also the significant contribution that Cardiff Met Sport continues to make to the game at all levels. 

Cardiff Met was heavily represented both on and off the court. Alongside Wagstaff on the coaching bench, the playing roster featured current Cardiff Met staff members Stef Collins, Women's Head Coach; Lucy Witt, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Physical Education; and Dr Fiona Heath-Diffey, PGCE Physical Education Lead. 

The squad also included current Cardiff Met Archers WEBBA players Ruth Thomas and Justine Ferland, while Archers alumni Kate Butters-Peters and Michelle Mayor returned to represent Wales. In total, seven of the ten-player squad were current or former Cardiff Met Archers players, highlighting the programme's long-standing contribution to the development of women's basketball in Wales. 

Cardiff Met's influence extended well beyond the Welsh Women's team. Current Archers Super League Basketball player Laura Shanahan represented Great Britain in the Women's 35+ competition, while Archers alumna Annabelle Hardiman was also part of the GB 35+ squad. 

The men's competition also featured strong Cardiff Met representation across the age groups. Within the Welsh 40+ team,  Archers stalwart Eddie Kizito and alumni Mark Twaits competed and were led by Head Coach Archers Penxto Cervantes.  

Away from the playing court, current Cardiff Met student and Archers player Emily Gilroy played an important role as part of the tournament's refereeing team along with her Archers team mate Jenna Payne, while current Archers player Helen Howell was instrumental in the organisation and delivery of the event, helping to ensure a successful championship for all involved. 

The tournament provided an opportunity for experienced players to continue competing at a high level while reconnecting with teammates and opponents from across Great Britain. It also demonstrated the value of Masters basketball in creating meaningful opportunities for lifelong participation in sport, while bringing former players back into the game. 

Reflecting on the weekend, Lucy Witt said: 

"The tournament was a great experience and a brilliant opportunity to compete alongside and against players who have contributed so much to the game over the years. Events like the GB Masters Championships are incredibly important because they provide a pathway for women to remain involved in competitive sport and also encourage former players back into the game.

We really appreciate the support from Basketball Wales in helping make this happen and hope this is just the beginning of a Welsh Masters programme that continues to grow and develop in the years ahead." 

For Cardiff Met, the weekend was another example of the University's commitment to excellence in basketball, with staff, students, current players, alumni, officials and coaches all playing a central role in a landmark occasion for the sport. 

The breadth of representation across playing, coaching, officiating and event management roles underlined Cardiff Met's continued influence on basketball in Wales and across Great Britain, and demonstrated the strength of a community that continues to support the game at every stage of life.