Cardiff Metropolitan University partners with PlayerData to enhance student learning and athlete performance

Cardiff Metropolitan University has become the first university in Wales to partner with PlayerData to introduce industry-leading GPS technology into both student learning and athlete development. 

PlayerData provides Elite level performance tracking, and partners with over 1,500 professional sports clubs, including Premier League football teams such as Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. 

The collaboration will see GPS tracking and performance data integrated into the Sport and Exercise Science degree programme, giving students at Levels 6 and 7 hands-on experiences with cutting-edge tools used by professional teams and practitioners. 

By embedding PlayerData’s technology into teaching and placement opportunities, students will benefit from authentic, real-world learning that strengthens their employability and develops the next generation of sport science professionals.  

Alongside the academic benefits, Cardiff Met performance sport athletes, supported by our Performance Services Team, will also gain from the system, with the GPS devices providing accurate insights into performance, training load and wellbeing. This ensures athletes can remain fit, healthy, supported and prepared for peak performance across their sporting commitments. 

This partnership comes during a period of outstanding sporting success for Cardiff Met. Recent highlights include BUCS titles in Women’s Super Rugby and cricket. Cardiff Met Men’s Football continues to compete at the highest level in the Cymru Premier League, and Men’s Hockey secured the 2024/25 Euro Indoor Championship alongside national indoor and outdoor titles. Women’s Hockey also enjoyed a remarkable season, winning the 2024/25 Outdoor EuroHockey Club Challenge, their league, and both Welsh indoor and outdoor championships. 

Michael Hughes, Principal Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology at Cardiff Met, said; “The addition of PlayerData GPS to our teaching is an exciting step forward. It allows our students to apply the theory they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios, gaining invaluable experience in performance monitoring and analysis. At the same time, our athletes will directly benefit from the insights provided by the technology, supporting their wellbeing and performance.” 

Carl Beynon, Senior Lecturer in Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, added: “We’re committed to preparing our students for careers in sport science by equipping them with the tools and knowledge they’ll use in industry. Partnering with PlayerData provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to athlete development at the university.” 

Rich Buchanan, Performance Director at PlayerData, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Cardiff Met, an institution renowned for its sporting excellence and academic expertise. By combining our technology with their teaching and performance services, we can support both student learning and athlete performance in a way that reflects the demands of modern sport.”