International students connect through Cardiff Met Cricket softball tournament

International students from across Cardiff Metropolitan University came together for an afternoon of sport, activity and community at a special Cardiff Met Cricket softball tournament held at Cathedral School.

The tournament took place on Friday 17 July and was created for international students remaining in Cardiff during the summer period, including members of the University’s newest international cohort who began their studies in May 2026; the event provided an opportunity for experienced cricket players and complete beginners to stay active, meet new people and connect with fellow students outside of their academic studies.

Cathedral School was chosen as the venue because of its proximity to the Llandaff Campus, making the tournament accessible to students living in university accommodation and the surrounding area.

Cardiff Met Cricket Club ran the event with players and staff, who organised the tournament, umpired the matches and recorded the scores. Their involvement helped to create a welcoming and well-managed environment in which students of all abilities could take part.

The tournament gave participants the chance to develop and practise a range of softball cricket skills, including batting, bowling and fielding, before putting them into action during a series of friendly matches.

Students from different programmes and communities attended the event, giving them the opportunity to experience a new sporting activity and develop connections with other members of the Cardiff Met community.

Feedback from participants also highlighted an appetite for more opportunities of this kind, one student said: “On behalf of my teammates, we would like to ask you to consider running more small tournaments on weekdays. It would be very helpful for us to take part. Thank you so much.”

Following the positive response, the tournament demonstrated how accessible sporting activities can support international students to stay active, build friendships and feel part of the wider Cardiff Met community throughout the year.