Full-circle moment for Fulford as Archers youngster prepares for SLB debut

Cardiff Met Archers could mark a special milestone on 11 April as U16 player Emily Fulford is set to kit up for the SLB fixture against Caledonia Gladiators.

It will be 10 years in April that Emily joined the club and attended her first basketball session. She's been aiming for the SLB ever since she ran on the court with the team as a 5-year-old mascot. 

The occasion carries an added layer of significance, with former Archers player Robyn Lewis due to feature for Caledonia. Lewis was one of the first coaches to work with Fulford, making the fixture a real full-circle moment.

Stef Collins, Head Coach at Cardiff Met Sport said "Emily kitting up for her first SLB game is a huge moment - ten years after joining Archers as a junior, she's now making a big step onto the senior stage. It's a brilliant milestone for her and a proud one of the whole programme."

For Fulford, the opportunity reflects her progress through the Archers pathway and highlights the strength of the club’s player development system. To go from being coached by a Cardiff Met alumna to potentially sharing the court with her in senior competition is a moment that underlines the value of that journey.

Should Fulford take to the floor, it will be a proud occasion for everyone connected to Cardiff Met Archers and a memorable step in the young guard’s development.

The U18 Archers team after their final game of the season.

Neva Hughes - U16 Head Coach

“I’m incredibly proud of Emily. Reaching this milestone and being selected to kit up with the SLB team on April 11th is such a special moment. It is even more meaningful by the fact it comes exactly 10 years after she first walked into an Archers session. To see her journey over that time, from those early sessions to now stepping into the senior environment, is something we as coaches and a club are all really proud of. She’s put in so much hard work and commitment, and this is a brilliant reflection of that.”

Caitlyn Riley - U18 Head Coach

“Emily is a player that you dream of coaching! Her work ethic and desire to be better and challenge herself every day has shone through. It is so great to see all of her achievements this season from playing key roles across U16s, U18s and stepping up to the Division 2 Women’s Senior team where she earned herself a starting spot! All of her hard work has got her to the point now where she is earning a call up to the SLBW team on April 11th! Something I’m sure she dreamed of 10 years ago when she first stepped on the Court here at Archers! I’m so proud of Emily, she deserves this and I know all the coaches that have had the pleasure to be part of her journey will be her loudest fans on April 11th!”

Now with an opportunity to play from as young as 4, we have an extensive junior programme which also includes girls competing at national league level from  the U14 age group. Emily is also a part of an U16 team that have won the league and are looking or promotion to the premier division this year. She has featured for our U18 too and hit a game winner in their final game this season to win by two