David Melding AM, the Shadow Minister for Housing, Heritage, Culture and Media, has today paid praise to Cardiff Metropolitan University Football Team after they reached the early stages of the UEFA Europa League Competition.

Speaking outside the Assembly Chamber, Mr Melding called the achievement a ‘tremendous feat’ for University sport in Wales.

Cardiff Metropolitan University Football Club became the first university to reach the UEFA Europa League, after an exciting play-off final against Bala Town on Sunday, where they won 3-1 with a penalty shoot-out.

Mr Melding is the Welsh Conservative Regional Assembly Member for south Wales Central, and Cardiff therefore falls within his representation area.

Speaking in the Assembly Chamber, Mr Melding said:

“Minister, I do hope you'll have the good grace to join me in congratulating Cardiff Metropolitan University football club, which is celebrating becoming the first university to reach the UEFA Europa League after an exciting play-off against Bala Town on Sunday—I do apologise—where they won 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out.

"This means that Cardiff Met will move into the preliminary rounds, joining clubs from Luxembourg, San Marino, the Faroe Islands, Andorra, Kosovo, Gibraltar and Northern Ireland. I think the important point here is that it's a fantastic feat for a university club and will inspire many of the students at the university who are not elite sports people to take up some sport and get involved in active recreation. So, will you congratulate Cardiff Met?

ENDS