Rodney Parade will be hosting more rugby league matches as the Celtic Crusaders will be moving to the home of Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC for at least the next two years.
Their first match in Newport is this Saturday when they take on champions Leeds Rhinos (kick-off 6pm). However this is officially an “on the road” game and the club will have one final fixture back at the Brewery Field in Bridgend on September 5th (against Huddersfield Giants) before the move becomes permanent for the start of the 2010 season.
The 2010 Super League season tickets will be officially launched at Rodney Parade on the Crusaders’ August 22nd date with Leeds.
The Crusaders will play at least 10 matches at the ground next season with their head office also moving there in a 2-year deal with an option for extension.
“We are delighted to have been able to reach agreement with the Celtic Crusaders about hosting their Super League matches at Rodney Parade over the next two years” said Dragons Chief Executive, Gethin Jenkins. “It reflects on our facilities and shows that the staff here are able to consistently put on rugby matches to a very high standard.”
Crusaders’ chief executive Mike Turner explained exactly why the Crusaders are primarily making the short move down the M4.
“There were a number of grounds that we could have gone to, we’ve spoken to a number of clubs and Rodney Parade filled the criteria and ticked every box. The people at Rodney Parade have also been very welcoming and helpful to us on all accounts, especially the promotions and community side of things.
“Next season, we’ll play at least ten games at Rodney Parade with three on the road. We’re certainly go to Wrexham and we’ll also play a game in Bridgend and central or West Wales.
“Rodney Parade is an excellent facility. We can work with the training ground in front of the stadium to do lots of festivals and get the kids more involved. Car parking is fantastic at Newport, there are multi-story car parks all round the area and they’ve been used to getting crowds of 5,500 and more so they can deal with those figures.
“Given Newport’s location, hopefully we’ll be able to persuade people to come from over the Severn Bridge as well as in Wales as we’re the closest Super League team to a lot of people in the South West. Hopefully we can retain the fans who have supported the club from day one too. We are talking to Veolia Transport to arrange low price transport direct from Bridgend to Newport and back on matchdays.”
The Crusaders are hoping to eventually return to Bridgend and have revealed exciting new plans for a purpose built stadium in the town.
“We’ve signed a contract for two seasons at Newport,” Turner added. “There will be an option to renew but it all depends on where we are on new stadia in 2012.
Their first match in Newport is this Saturday when they take on champions Leeds Rhinos (kick-off 6pm). However this is officially an “on the road” game and the club will have one final fixture back at the Brewery Field in Bridgend on September 5th (against Huddersfield Giants) before the move becomes permanent for the start of the 2010 season.
The 2010 Super League season tickets will be officially launched at Rodney Parade on the Crusaders’ August 22nd date with Leeds.
The Crusaders will play at least 10 matches at the ground next season with their head office also moving there in a 2-year deal with an option for extension.
“We are delighted to have been able to reach agreement with the Celtic Crusaders about hosting their Super League matches at Rodney Parade over the next two years” said Dragons Chief Executive, Gethin Jenkins. “It reflects on our facilities and shows that the staff here are able to consistently put on rugby matches to a very high standard.”
Crusaders’ chief executive Mike Turner explained exactly why the Crusaders are primarily making the short move down the M4.
“There were a number of grounds that we could have gone to, we’ve spoken to a number of clubs and Rodney Parade filled the criteria and ticked every box. The people at Rodney Parade have also been very welcoming and helpful to us on all accounts, especially the promotions and community side of things.
“Next season, we’ll play at least ten games at Rodney Parade with three on the road. We’re certainly go to Wrexham and we’ll also play a game in Bridgend and central or West Wales.
“Rodney Parade is an excellent facility. We can work with the training ground in front of the stadium to do lots of festivals and get the kids more involved. Car parking is fantastic at Newport, there are multi-story car parks all round the area and they’ve been used to getting crowds of 5,500 and more so they can deal with those figures.
“Given Newport’s location, hopefully we’ll be able to persuade people to come from over the Severn Bridge as well as in Wales as we’re the closest Super League team to a lot of people in the South West. Hopefully we can retain the fans who have supported the club from day one too. We are talking to Veolia Transport to arrange low price transport direct from Bridgend to Newport and back on matchdays.”
The Crusaders are hoping to eventually return to Bridgend and have revealed exciting new plans for a purpose built stadium in the town.
“We’ve signed a contract for two seasons at Newport,” Turner added. “There will be an option to renew but it all depends on where we are on new stadia in 2012.
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