Phillipa Yarranton reflects on full circle Cardiff Met moment with Team Wales
- Damian Burgess
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Team Wales netballer and Cardiff Met alumna Phillipa Yarranton has spoken about the pride, resilience and lasting relationships behind her journey from student-athlete to the international stage.
Speaking at Cardiff Met as part of the Team Wales build-up, Yarranton described the day as a special moment, both personally and for everyone involved.
“I feel super proud,” said Yarranton. “The one word to summarise it would be super proud, just of everybody that’s a part of this, but also proud of myself for the journey that we’ve been on, the hard work that we’ve put in to just be a part of this.”
For Yarranton, the moment carried extra significance as a Cardiff Met alumna returning to a place that played a major role in her development as a player and person.
“Cardiff Met has such a special place, particularly in my heart as a previous Archer,” she said. “Being here today is super, super special. I feel like I’m in a real full circle moment.”
Yarranton’s reflections highlight the strength of the connection between Cardiff Met and Team Wales, with the University providing facilities, support and a sporting environment that continues to help Welsh athletes prepare and perform.
“I think the foundation that they’ve been able to provide to support Team Wales, from the facilities that they offer here, but as a past student, a lot of my fondest memories playing netball were here,” she said.
Her Cardiff Met journey was shaped not only by competition, but by the people around her. Yarranton pointed to the influence of figures such as Suzy Drane and Mia Jones, who helped inspire and support her both on and off the court.
“I’ve had people like Suzy Drane and Mia Jones who have been massive role models to me, on and off the court,” she said. “They’re people I still reach out to now.”
That sense of lasting connection remains central to what Cardiff Met Sport represents. For Yarranton, the relationships formed during her time at the University continue to be just as meaningful as the sporting experiences.
“Cardiff Met has given me relationships that I’ve built with people that I’ll have for life, but also enabled me to perform and play at the highest level that I can for netball,” she said.
Asked what message she would give to the younger generation, Yarranton’s advice was simple: keep going, even when the journey becomes difficult.
“Honestly, just follow your dreams,” she said. “No matter what setbacks you have, if you keep pushing and continue to be super resilient, you’re going to get knocked down sometimes, whether that’s injuries, something that happens in your personal life, or someone’s going to be better than you occasionally.
“But if you just stay true to yourself and keep pushing on, dreams do come true.”
Yarranton’s story is a powerful reminder of the Cardiff Met student-athlete pathway and the lasting impact of being part of the Archer family. From her time on court at Cyncoed to representing Wales with Team Wales, her journey reflects the pride, belonging and ambition that sit at the heart of Cardiff Met Sport.
Once an Archer, always an Archer.
Interview by Fathema Khatun, MSc Sport Broadcast Student, Article written by Damian Burgess, Digital Media and Marketing Officer at Cardiff Met Sport
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