Newport Gwent Dragons have formally signed an agreement this week to make the new Ystrad Mynach Centre for Sporting Excellence their official training facility from 2014.
The new, state-of-the-art sports centre will be constructed on the site of the former Ystrad Mynach Hospital. Clearing works have already been completed, paving the way for construction to begin with immediate effect.
The Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Harry Andrews, visited Rodney Parade this week to sign an agreement alongside Dragons Chief Executive Chris Brown, allowing the region to use the new development as a training facility.
“This iconic development will change the landscape of Ystrad Mynach and will bring massive benefits, not only to our county borough, but to the wider region,” said Cllr Harry Andrews. “I’m delighted that the Newport Gwent Dragons have signed up to make use of this fantastic facility as a training centre, bringing the elite rugby talent on a regional and international stage back into the Valleys where future rugby stars from our communities can be discovered and their talents honed and perfected.”
Newport Gwent Dragons Chief Executive, Chris Brown said, “We are very much looking forward to being able to train at Ystrad Mynach in the future. It’s a really exciting development and will be incredibly important to us. It will give us a purpose built training base with both artificial and grass pitches, a weights room, indoor lineout training facilities and office space to go with it.
“The Dragons have a reputation for emerging local talent like Toby Faletau and Jack Dixon, who have both come up through the age grade channels which just shows that Gwent has plenty of talent to offer.”
Cllr Dave Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services, added, “Striking up an agreement with a high profile regional side like the Newport Gwent Dragons to make use of the impressive new sports centre is exactly what is needed to inspire and encourage our communities to live healthier and more active lives.”
When completed the first class facility will be used for both football and rugby and will boast two 3rd Generation (3G) artificial playing surfaces to support teams of both sports at an elite level as well as providing the opportunity for young talent to progress through academies.
The centre is expected to be completed early in 2014, providing the Dragons with an exciting and impressive new centre to use for training purposes.
