Felsted School is celebrating a history‑making moment this week as Old Felstedian Poppy Tydeman prepares to represent Wales at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which begin on Friday 18 July.
Poppy’s selection marks a major milestone for the School: she becomes Felsted’s first female Commonwealth Games athlete, adding a new and inspiring chapter to the School’s long tradition of sporting excellence.
The 2026 Games, hosted in Scotland, will see netball return as one of the headline sports, with Wales naming a 15‑strong squad to compete on the international stage. Poppy will form a key part of this group, bringing her trademark intensity, discipline and defensive intelligence to the Wales team.
Wales are seeded 6th for the tournament and are in pool B, alongside 2nd and 3rd seeds, New Zealand and Jamaica. Poppy and her teammates match up against Uganda in their first game on 25 July.
Currently playing Wing Defence for Team Bath in the NXT GEN League, Poppy has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season, earning the title of Fans’ Player of the Season in recognition of her leadership, tenacity and impact on court. Poppy is no stranger to the big stage, her international journey began in 2024 when she earned her first cap for Wales, representing the Welsh Feathers in the Celtic Cup.
During her time at Felsted School, Poppy was a Head Girl, Boarder, and keen sportswoman who demonstrated exceptional promise from an early age, competing at U18 level at just 14 years old. Her rise from Felsted’s courts to the global stage reflects both her remarkable dedication and the strength of the School’s netball pathway.
Poppy commented: “I’m incredibly grateful to have been selected and it feels like a pinch-me moment to say that I’m going to my first Commonwealth Games. Walking into training alongside players I’ve looked up to for so many years is surreal. It makes me incredibly proud to see the years of hard work, dedication, and support of everyone around me finally paying off. I have so much to thank Felsted School for – it has played a huge part in everything I’ve achieved. Being given the opportunity to play for the first team in Year 9 was when I really found my love for netball.”
Felsted’s Head of Netball, Lindsay Richardson (Nee. Keable), who coached Poppy throughout her school years, shared the pride felt across the community:
“Poppy’s selection for the Commonwealth Games is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Felsted. Poppy has always shown outstanding commitment, resilience and passion for Netball and all sports. To see her now representing Wales on one of the world’s biggest stages is truly inspiring to all. The whole Felsted community will be cheering her on.”
Netball continues to thrive at Felsted, with participation and performance reaching new heights. Many girls play regularly for the School, local clubs and National Performance teams, including London Pulse and Saracens Mavericks. Under the guidance of former England and Super League player Lindsay Richardson, the programme continues to flourish.
The School’s commitment to high‑performance sport is reflected in its growing number of elite players; a number of current pupils are members of U13 County, U15, and U19 Performance Academies for London Pulse and Saracens Mavericks, with all players benefiting from a comprehensive support structure including 1‑1 coaching, Strength & Conditioning, video analysis, and personalised development planning.
Felsted’s partnership with London Pulse further strengthens pathways into professional sport, ensuring talented young netballers receive the guidance and opportunities needed to progress to the highest levels.
As Poppy prepares to step onto the Commonwealth Games stage this July, she carries with her the pride of her former teachers, coaches, fellow Old Felstedians and current pupils, all of whom will be watching with excitement as she represents Wales on the global stage. Visit Felsted to find out more about entry into the school at an Open Event:Â www.felsted.org/opendays.
For further information or comment, please telephone the Felsted Marketing Department on 01371 822647 or email marketing@felsted.org
Categories: Felsted School School News
