On-field the 2006/07 season has been a busy one for The Dragons while off-field The Dragons community department has also been busy delivering its various and exciting community projects.
Gateway Rugby is the scheme that delivers fortnightly rugby sessions throughout 42 schools in the Newport area. Community Development Officer Janice Chappell and Community Projects Manager Mike Sage deliver the hour-long sessions, which concentrate on the youngsters enjoying themselves and emerging from the sessions with new skill, more confidence and with improved self-esteem. The Dragons players support the scheme with each player having 'adopted' a school and visiting it on two occasions throughout the school year.
The Second Half project continues to go from strength to strength and over 6,000 children have spent a school day at Rodney Parade. The year 5 and 6 pupils spend a challenging but exciting time at the home of The Dragons where the Roy Burnett Suite acts as their classroom. As part of their visit they meet and interview a Dragons star player, undergo the changing room experience and leave with a goody bag. Dragons Community Education Officer Phil James runs the very successful scheme.
Another project the community departments runs is the EOTAS / Extra Time project which provide a valuable experience for all participants. The project runs for eight weeks and gives tangible qualifications that will assist them in their future career plans.
On a match day the community suite acts as a RISE adult learning centre where adults can drop in and find out more about the educational projects available.
The community department have also been heavily involved in the IRB SOS Kit Aid appeal. The project was started over four years ago when one of current Chairman John Broadfoot's sons visited Romania and realised young players in that country could not only play the game but had an urgent need for proper rugby kit for both playing and training. Kit is now collected to help over 40 emerging rugby nations and The Dragons community department asked supporters to give them any unwanted rugby kit. The appeal received a tremendous response with a lot of kit generously donated and subsequently sent to Romania.
The Dragons match day experience is open to all clubs and schools throughout the region. They have the opportunity to be special guests of The Dragons and receive either a skills session or take part in a tag rugby game before the main match. They then form the guard of honour for both teams to run though before following the teams and run across the pitch to take their place in the Family Stand to watch the game.
Through sponsors Warburtons, who have been involved with the Community Projects for a record five years, a healthy eating poster was launched. Youngsters were encouraged to collect stickers of Dragons players and put them on the poster that contains pertinent healthy eating messages.
The community department also help out where possible with work experience placements giving youngsters an insight into the behind the scenes work that goes into a professional rugby club.
The department at Rodney Parade also runs disability development days where the aim is to provide youngsters with a set of skills and give them enthusiasm for the sport.
An annual Tag Regional Tournament is also run and is open to schools throughout the region. Eight area rounds are held with the winners of each progressing to the play off stages. The winners of those reaching the Grand Final, which is played at Rodney Parade before The Dragons final home game of the season.
Easter & Summer Rugby camps: This summer will be the third year and the demand is again very high as youngsters see the camps as an integral part of their holiday activities. No doubt, their attendance is memorable as they pick up tips from the coaching staff and professional rugby players. These are now run in the Easter and summer holidays, due to the growing demand, where youngsters take part in either a one-day or three-day camp where they receive top class coaching from the development officers and have the opportunity to build and develop their skills and knowledge of the game. Such is the success of the camps the WRU will be coming on board this summer which is hoped will increase the opportunities available around the entire region.
As you can see, a season in the life of The Dragons community department is a very busy one and they run a number of initiatives that keep youngsters busy and develop them as rounded individuals. As The Dragons stretch out across the region the work of the community department is set to grow and grow with no let up for Mike, Phil or Janice!
May we take this opportunity to acknowledge our sponsors for their commitment to the community department and assure them that everyone involved in all the various projects appreciates their support.
Your support really makes a difference!
As you can see we are running a unique and comprehensive community package, but as with anything in life – it doesn't come cheap!!
We are always on the lookout for new sponsorship to help us maintain and develop our services to the community. If you would be interested in any supporting any of the above activities please contact the Community Projects at Rodney Parade for an informal chat. You too could be supporting the community along with our other prestigious backers such as:-
Newport City Council, Warburtons, Uskmouth Power, International Rectifiers, Wilkinson, EOTAS, Finning Cat, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Watkins & Gunn, Thompson & Thompson and Pure Rugby.
