Road to Glasgow: Georgia Rowe and the depth of Cardiff Met’s netball pathway

Georgia Rowe’s selection for the Wales netball squad ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is another reminder of the strength and depth of Cardiff Met’s netball pathway. A former Cardiff Metropolitan University student and Cardiff Met Archer, Rowe’s journey reflects the role the university continues to play in supporting athletes who go on to compete at the highest level.

Rowe has built an impressive career in elite netball, progressing from her time at Cardiff Met into the Netball Super League and the international environment with Wales. Her latest Commonwealth Games selection marks another significant milestone in a career shaped by years of commitment, resilience and high-level performance.

“The feeling of being selected for a Commonwealth Games is one that’s really hard to describe,” said Rowe. “I still have the same butterfly feeling that I had when I got picked for my first Commonwealth Games. I have put everything into netball for many years and so for that to be recognised and then rewarded is such an emotional moment and makes the ups and downs totally worth it. I am so unbelievably grateful and excited.”

Her selection for Glasgow 2026 also highlights the wider legacy of Cardiff Met netball. Rather than standing as an isolated success story, Rowe is part of a pathway that has helped shape a number of players who have progressed through university sport and into elite netball environments.

For Rowe, her time at Cardiff Met played an important role in that journey. The experience helped shape her as an athlete and as a person, with the programme providing a competitive environment that pushed her to develop the qualities needed to perform at the next level.

Georgia with her Cardiff Met Netball Squad circa 2016

“I have some of the best memories from my time at Cardiff Met,” she said. “Playing netball there developed me both on and off the court. I feel really lucky with the team mates and coaches I had, some of them are still my team mates now.

“I learnt how to stand up tall and be proud of that, and playing for Cardiff Met forced me to find that discipline and competitiveness that I didn’t believe I had. Cardiff Met was the beginning of my career and have absolutely contributed to what I have achieved since. I’m grateful for my time and everyone who helped me over those two great years.”

Cardiff Met netball has long been recognised as one of the university’s strongest sporting programmes, combining competitive fixtures, performance support and a strong team culture. That environment gives athletes the opportunity to study while continuing to develop within a serious performance setting, helping them grow as people, students and performers.

For Rowe, the opportunity to represent Wales at another Commonwealth Games carries both pride and expectation. Having experienced the Games before, she understands the scale of the occasion and the pressure that comes with competing on one of the biggest stages in sport.

“No matter how many Commonwealth Games you go to, there is always pressure, but it’s a good pressure,” she added. “There’s pressure because we want to do well, individually and as a team. We are going as Team Wales and we want to do Wales and our fans, families and ourselves proud.

“This Games feels a little different as nobody knows what the future holds. I’m getting older now, so I have really high expectations of myself to do well, enjoy this experience to the fullest and feel really happy and proud of my performances.”

As Wales continue their build-up to Glasgow 2026, Rowe’s journey provides another example of the lasting impact of the Cardiff Met sporting environment. Her progression reflects not only individual talent and dedication, but also the strength of a netball programme that continues to support ambitious athletes through university and beyond.

For prospective students and aspiring players, stories like Rowe’s show what is possible within the Cardiff Met pathway. Her place in the Wales squad adds to a proud netball legacy at the university, one built over time through consistency, ambition and a culture that continues to help athletes develop year after year.