Success, silverware, and standout performances defined another excellent season for St David’s College Basketball Academy in 2025/26.
Over the past ten months, St David’s basketball has continued to build its reputation across Wales and the UK, with players and teams consistently performing at a high level.
A combination of major competitive success, individual achievement, and growing participation across all pathways has made this another standout year for the basketball academy.
The 1st team enjoyed an outstanding season, taking significant strides forward and establishing themselves as one of the strongest college sides in the country.
The standout moment came at the Welsh Schools Finals in Cardiff, where St David’s were crowned Champions after a brilliant 56–19 victory over Brynrefail in the final.
The team also did themselves proud on the national stage, reaching the semi-finals of the Association of Colleges Cup. Competing against 128 teams from across the United Kingdom, the Saints finished among the top four.
Additional highlights included a second-place finish in the AoC Southwest League, a run to the final of the Welsh Colleges Tournament, and a place in the quarter-finals of the CBL 3×3 National Tournament in Manchester.
Across the year, the group developed a clear identity built on defensive intensity, teamwork, and togetherness, and consistently rose to the challenge against strong opposition.
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Several players also enjoyed well-deserved individual recognition for an excellent season.
Michael Wells earned selection for the Wales U17 programme, the Senior Wales 3×3 training squad, and Wales U23 following a standout year.
Lassana Sumare and Isaiah Gomes Balde both earned selection into the Wales U23 set-up, while James Grant also secured an invitation to attend the national training camp.
Isaiah capped off a fantastic season by earning MVP honours at the Welsh Schools Finals, delivering a series of outstanding performances throughout the competition.
Ethan Benningwood also joined the Basketball Wales Youth Panel, highlighting the growing number of St David’s students gaining recognition within school basketball in Wales.
The 2nd team enjoyed another positive year, continuing to develop and strengthen the pathway within the basketball academy.
The side produced an excellent run to the semi-finals of the Welsh Colleges Tournament, where they faced the 1st team in an all–St David’s encounter.
This marked the first time in recent years that the group progressed beyond the group stages, highlighting the growing depth and competitiveness across the programme.
The women’s programme also enjoyed another strong year of development, with increasing participation and excellent engagement throughout the season.
Several players experienced competitive basketball for the first time and improved steadily week by week, showing real commitment and resilience across the Welsh Colleges competition.
It has also been excellent to see the programme continue to strengthen links with local schools and attract new players into the academy environment.
With strong foundations now in place, the women’s pathway is well positioned for continued growth heading into next season.
The future continues to look very bright for St David’s basketball, with strong recruitment across both the men’s and women’s programmes.
Across the boys’ and girls’ recruitment camps this year, 39 players attended, with 21 identified as potential future recruits.
Overall, 2025/26 has been another excellent year for basketball at St David’s College. With national success, growing participation, and exciting talent coming through, there is plenty to be proud of and even more to look forward to.
If you are interested in joining the St David’s College Basketball Academy, keep an eye out for upcoming trials and recruitment events ahead of the 2026/27 season.
