Sarah Wagstaff has expressed her joy at being handed the opportunity to resume her WBBL career with Cardiff Met Archers from the beginning of the forthcoming 2018-19 campaign.

The Wales national team star made a handful of appearances towards the end of last season after returning from a role in Canada at Calgary with former Archers’ play-caller Damian Jennings.

Now Wagstaff is looking forward to resuming her career fully-focused from the start of the new season – while also continuing her coaching experience at the club too.

She said: “I am beyond excited to be coming back. I’m so fortunate to have people like Damian who allowed me the opportunity to come and coach in Canada and experience a different university system.

“The Dinos are a great group, who work so hard and have the best chemistry I’ve seen in a team, they also epitomise what it means to be a student athlete. It’s been great working with the team and making the national finals was an amazing experience too.

“Whilst the university structure in Canada is very strong, they don’t have a domestic league, so I really missed competing. I can’t wait to get back on the floor and I’m also looking forward to coaching the D2 team and studying some more.

“This past season really has made me realise how I’m happiest when I’m playing and my advice to any other player will always be to play for as long as you can!

“I can’t wait to be back with the legend that is Stefanie Collins,” continued Wagstaff.

“To share the floor again with the Commonwealth Games silver medalist and a great friend, makes me super excited. Roll on the new season – and let’s go Archers!”

Meanwhile Archers’ player-coach Stef Collins added: “ “We are all very excited for the Sarah to return to Cardiff. I know she had a great opportunity in Canada to work alongside Damian Jennings who has been one of the biggest influences in my basketball career, I look forward to her sharing this knowledge with our Archers programme as a player and now head coach of our NBL Division 2 women’s team.

“Sarah pursuing a Taught Doctorate in Sports Coaching will be a great asset to our programme here at Cardiff Met and I’m so pleased that she has the opportunity to balance her academia and coaching whilst playing in the WBBL. I very much look forward to taking the court with her again.”

The addition of Wagstaff also strengthens the Welsh core of the team, with the likes of Laura Shanahan and Chloe Richards already signed up.