Dragons were proudly represented at the Nasdaq Stock Market in New York this week as part of St David’s Day celebrations in the Big Apple!
This season the Dragons ALLSTARS – our successful mixed ability team – have been proudly sponsored by New York Welsh.
And Ty Francis MBE, founder of New York Welsh, made sure the region was on show in New York during Wales Week when he proudly showed off a Dragons ALLSTARS jersey during the Closing Bell ceremony in Times Square.
Aspiring rugby players from across Gwent have this season been encouraged to join the Dragons ALLSTARS, a team established to provide opportunities for disabled and non-disabled players to play contact or non-contact rugby together.
Head Coach Gareth Sullivan revealed how the team had grown over the last six months from just one member to appearing at the Stock Market in the USA.
“We launched last summer at Cwmbran RFC, under the #JerseyForAll banner and with the intention of giving people of any age, ability or background a way into the sport,” he said.
“Working alongside my coach Callum House, we’ve gone from one registered player to 43 and have played eight games this season. We have another three booked in and are also playing at a festival and going on an end-of-season tour.
“We really do cater for all. We’ve had people who have never touched a rugby ball join us, people with a range of disabilities, a cancer survivor and even someone who had a triple heart bypass and wanted to give it a go!
“Anybody can play and enjoy our sport and we really want to give them the full rugby experience - both on and off the field. There is a great team ethos and we’ve even been along to watch internationals and the Dragons together.”
The sponsorship of Dragons ALLSTARS this season is part of a global initiative co-founded by Ty Francis MBE, a former New York Stock Exchange executive and US Business Advocate for Wales, and Aled Miles, a Los Angeles based Tech Executive and former CEO of Telesign.
They have supported a platform, SponsorOurClub.org, that connects Welsh expats and philanthropically-minded individuals with Welsh youth sports teams in need of financial support.
“We’re really grateful to New York Welsh for the sponsorship,” added Gareth. “I was lucky to meet them at the kit launch we held at the Clermont game and without that backing we wouldn’t be where we are now.
“The support of New York Welsh, Cwmbran RFC and Mike Sage, Community Manager at Dragons, has been vital. We’ve enjoyed some great exposure and more and more people have become aware of us and wanted to join us.”
Dragons ALLSTARS are always looking for new players. All abilities are welcome as training sessions and games are tailored and conditioned to suit needs and abilities. You can train from 16-years-old and play at 18. For more information contact Gareth Sullivan on 07887 242409.
We launched last summer at Cwmbran RFC, under the #JerseyForAll banner and with the intention of giving people of any age, ability or background a way into the sport...
