Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

[dragon4life]

First topic message reminder :

3 in Wales squad that would have been 4 if tyler was fit

[munkian]

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/13349858.Ieuan_Jones__I_was_dumped_on_by_Cardiff_Blues_but_still_dream_of_Dragons_return/

Yeah, our players don't seem to do well there.

Your players usually don't do well at the Arms Park though. Meh!

Apart from the last time we played you there...

Any way - glad to say Wardle, Leach and Breeeewwww have all returned to fitness and are in pre season training - should bolster us nicely

[Cardiff Dave]

Is it true that the Drags would require WRU approval to release Faletau?

[GavinDragon]

hearing rumours on twitter that Newport RFC will be having an AGM shortly to decide whether they want to assume full ownership of the dragons - not confirmed but members of the Friends of Newport Rugby society seem to think it will happen

[GavinDragon]

and fwiw here would be my kit for our regional select side in BIC - yes I am bored today

[bedfordwelsh]

hearing rumours on twitter that Newport RFC will be having an AGM shortly to decide whether they want to assume full ownership of the dragons - not confirmed but members of the Friends of Newport Rugby society seem to think it will happen

As a Non Newport RFC fan but Dragons fan it will be interesting to see what if any changes would happen if they did get full ownership.

[Steffan]

hearing rumours on twitter that Newport RFC will be having an AGM shortly to decide whether they want to assume full ownership of the dragons - not confirmed but members of the Friends of Newport Rugby society seem to think it will happen

As a Non Newport RFC fan but Dragons fan it will be interesting to see what if any changes would happen if they did get full ownership.

What changes would you like to happen if any?

[GavinDragon]

None - I hope they don't get full ownership if you check the MO of FONR it is very clear what their ambitions would be:-

What is the Trust all about?

The basic definition of a Trust is a democratic, not-for-profit fund-raising organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice of supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and its supporters and the community it serves, particularly in the area of sport that the supporters and their club participate in.

return to questions

What does the Trust do for Newport RFC?

The WRU is the organisation that primarily funds Newport RFC with payment of approx £50,000 per annum. This amount is barely sufficient to run a semi-professional team let alone pay for things such as administration, maintenance, bills, transport, youth development, etc. At the moment, individuals who have put vast sums of money into the club are paying many of these costs. But what happens when they are no longer available to do this? The Trust is there to help avoid financial problems for the club in future years. It does that by providing a mechanism by which many supporters can donate small sums of money that, when pooled into one resource, can make a substantial difference.



return to questions
What about the Dragons?

The Dragons are receiving considerable levels of central funding from the WRU - leaving Newport RFC with a vastly reduced income of their own, compared with pre regional seasons. We believe that as the sole club now running The Dragons, in partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union, it is essential that we concentrate our efforts on trying to secure Newport RFC's future as in our opinion, this is also essential to the future of a regional side based in the city.

This policy may however change at some future date, should Newport RFC take on full responsibility for the region, meaning that the famous Newport club is once again playing at the highest level. In the meantime we fully support Newport RFC’s efforts to bring top-class rugby to Rodney Parade in the form of the current regional side. This policy is reflected in our mission statement.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't like the sound of that final paragraph. I don't want the Dragons to be Newport and I don't know anyone who does.

[GavinDragon]

members of the FONR I would imagine - you can understand their gripe, they have fund raised and put their own money into NRFC for years only to see pro rugby in its former guise taken from them. Their assets also are used to fund and prop up the Dragons.

I don't agree with their viewpoint, I think they should see the bigger picture and stop the parochialism that holds back Welsh rugby.

Bedford - you think Ebbw would have the finance or inclination to start supporting the Dragons?

[Cardiff Dave]

I don't like the sound of that final paragraph. I don't want the Dragons to be Newport and I don't know anyone who does.

Still confused by this I am and I do realise it's a tetchy subject (for some reason), but your team is Newport Gwent Dragons, your supporters' club is Friends of Newport Rugby (FONR), your team plays at Dave (home of Newport rugby and Newport footy) and the club involved with running the Drags is Newport RFC. So why is not being Newport such a big deal? Browse other forums and it's the opposite viewpoint.

[Steffan]

So will they be called Newport RFC or Newport Dragons then if any name changes take place?

[GavinDragon]

Don't know Steffan I haven't heard any more about it.

[Cardiff Dave]

So will they be called Newport RFC or Newport Dragons then if any name changes take place?

Best ask that question on another forum. It'll be N something though I should imagine.

[GavinDragon]

Yes I should imagine it would

[Cardiff Dave]

Yes I should imagine it would

You ok with that though?

[GavinDragon]

Not really, but I am only one fan who pays for four ST's.

If a group of fans who put more of their own money in want to change in who am I to argue?

Will it affect my decision to renew next season? Yes

[Cardiff Dave]

Not really, but I am only one fan who pays for four ST's.

If a group of fans who put more of their own money in want to change in who am I to argue?

Will it affect my decision to renew next season? Yes

You have a voice just like anyone else. Argue your point. Go for it.

[GavinDragon]

I think I have done so on this thread, many others and Twitter.

I never watched domestic rugby until the game went regional, although born in Newport and playing rugby in Newport I lived outside and never felt any affinity with Newport RFC.

When it went regional I was excited by the prospect of belonging to and supporting something bigger in a Gwent region.

I understand that Newport RFC have paid for it, used their assets and that the owners of Ebbw Vale at the time of conception walked away from it.

But I still believe in the concept and the fact that the whole of Gwent united behind one regional representative team is far more commercially viable and stronger in the rugby sense than the whole of Newport fully behind their club side.

However unless fans, business people throughout the region share my viewpoint and put their money where their mouth is we will always be reliant Newport RFC and their vested interests

[ScarletSpiderman]

I think I have done so on this thread, many others and Twitter.

I never watched domestic rugby until the game went regional, although born in Newport and playing rugby in Newport I lived outside and never felt any affinity with Newport RFC.

When it went regional I was excited by the prospect of belonging to and supporting something bigger in a Gwent region.

I understand that Newport RFC have paid for it, used their assets and that the owners of Ebbw Vale at the time of conception walked away from it.

But I still believe in the concept and the fact that the whole of Gwent united behind one regional representative team is far more commercially viable and stronger in the rugby sense than the whole of Newport fully behind their club side.

However unless fans, business people throughout the region share my viewpoint and put their money where their mouth is we will always be reliant Newport RFC and their vested interests

Is there a PR email address for the Dragons somewhere (website maybe), try emailing them with your views. Even if it doesn't lead to anything, at least you will know your views have been heard by the relevant people.

[GavinDragon]

I did when I emailed my season ticket application form - I want them to know that I am buying because of the Gwent in the name not necessarily the Newport

[ScarletSpiderman]

I did when I emailed my season ticket application form - I want them to know that I am buying because of the Gwent in the name not necessarily the Newport

Good on you boss.

[munkian]

I did when I emailed my season ticket application form - I want them to know that I am buying because of the Gwent in the name not necessarily the Newport

[Guest]

Pete Gzonka is pretty approachable. I emailed him some concerns on other things and he replied, even out of hours.

The way it seems to me, I'm really not so sure a name change to Newport would make any difference. I can't see any more townies coming running down from the far outskirts of "the city", just because they take more of a Newport stance.

[Steffan]

I really don't understand why just calling themselves Gwent Dragons or just the Dragons is so hard regardless of Newport being the dominant club of the region

[Cardiff Dave]

I did when I emailed my season ticket application form - I want them to know that I am buying because of the Gwent in the name not necessarily the Newport

Good on you boss.  

Indeed and well done Gav. Sounds like you've put your point across by the look of it. Many others don't bother, so top marks for making the effort. Not sure it'll make a difference mind ewe.

[munkian]

[Guest]

Just Dragons is fine. I know townie diehards like Robin Davey think Glamorgan are called Dragons too blah blah blah, but who cares. If we are marketed as Dragons rugby, is some moron really going to expect us to come running out to bat?

I might be wrong, but I think if they went back to Newport, they would lose more than they would gain.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Poor sod, he always gave his all. Bad for the Dragons, hopefully they half expected this and have someone in mind.

[Guest]

Shame for him, but I can't pretend to be a big fan of his and say we will miss him. I did wonder why he didn't feature after the semi final though, but just assumed he had been dropped. I'm sure Dragons didn't even say anything about him being injured.

[Steffan]

If we are marketed as Dragons rugby, is some moron really going to expect us to come running out to bat?

That's the problem really...'Dragons' was easily the most unoriginal and badly thought out name a Welsh team could have possibly picked

Same goes for the 'Blues' to an extent. All this business years ago of 'We keep the CARDIFF bit as to not get confused with English football teams and rugby teams in New Zealand bla bla'. Just pick a more original name although at least Richard Holland has dropped that nonsense now and admitted that now they keep the name to preserve the heritage of Cardiff rugby

[Guest]

I always liked the Steelers name as it embraces the heritage of North Gwent and even down town, but of course Newport diehards would see it as too similar to Ebbw.

[doctornickolas]

I always thought something like Gwent Gladiators to reflect some of it's Roman history. At least then the kids can dress up as something as well.

[GavinDragon]

Like the steelers and would like to see our Bic side branded as such

[Guest]

I don't like the sound of that final paragraph. I don't want the Dragons to be Newport and I don't know anyone who does.

Still confused by this I am and I do realise it's a tetchy subject (for some reason), but your team is Newport Gwent Dragons, your supporters' club is Friends of Newport Rugby (FONR), your team plays at Dave (home of Newport rugby and Newport footy) and the club involved with running the Drags is Newport RFC. So why is not being Newport such a big deal? Browse other forums and it's the opposite viewpoint.

Because Newport RFC play in a different league to the Dragons, at different times, in different kit, with different players (mostly), coached by a different coaching team, and usually with a different set of fans. It makes no sense to have two teams with the same name. So the 'big deal' is that the pro team that represents a bigger area than just Newport needs to be called something that is more than just 'Newport', IMO. Unfortunately we can't have a floating stadium in the skies above Gwent so it has to be somewhere, in some town or city. I don't think that means it HAS to be called the same thing as the town they play in, as you seem to suggest above. I guess the powers that be felt that the biggest population area in the 'region', with a stadium at their disposal, with the best transport links and the only motorway in the region running through the centre of it, was a more logical choice to get the team off the ground. Open to debate obviously.

Can I just point out that this seems just as much a tetchy subject with you as with us!

[Guest]

I always liked the Steelers name as it embraces the heritage of North Gwent and even down town, but of course Newport diehards would see it as too similar to Ebbw.

I don't think many Newport diehards came over to the Dragons to be honest. I know a few friends who never made it, preferring to stay watching Newport RFC in the prem. Their choice of course, and fully entitled to it. But I don't think a name change would have had a huge amount of resistance apart from on the SW Argus website. Not really fans on there though IMO, just moaners who never go to games.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I don't like the sound of that final paragraph. I don't want the Dragons to be Newport and I don't know anyone who does.

Still confused by this I am and I do realise it's a tetchy subject (for some reason), but your team is Newport Gwent Dragons, your supporters' club is Friends of Newport Rugby (FONR), your team plays at Dave (home of Newport rugby and Newport footy) and the club involved with running the Drags is Newport RFC. So why is not being Newport such a big deal? Browse other forums and it's the opposite viewpoint.

Because Newport RFC play in a different league to the Dragons, at different times, in different kit, with different players (mostly), coached by a different coaching team, and usually with a different set of fans.  It makes no sense to have two teams with the same name.  So the 'big deal' is that the pro team that represents a bigger area than just Newport needs to be called something that is more than just 'Newport', IMO.  Unfortunately we can't have a floating stadium in the skies above Gwent so it has to be somewhere, in some town or city.  I don't think that means it HAS to be called the same thing as the town they play in, as you seem to suggest above.  I guess the powers that be felt that the biggest population area in the 'region', with a stadium at their disposal, with the best transport links and the only motorway in the region running through the centre of it, was a more logical choice to get the team off the ground.  Open to debate obviously.

Can I just point out that this seems just as much a tetchy subject with you as with us!

That is the major issue people seem to stuggle with regionally. A team is based in a population centre with transport links, but represents people from a greater area. Simple. We all can understand it internationally, when Wales play out of Cardiff, so why is it hard to grasp on a regional level?

[GavinDragon]

I don't like the sound of that final paragraph. I don't want the Dragons to be Newport and I don't know anyone who does.

Still confused by this I am and I do realise it's a tetchy subject (for some reason), but your team is Newport Gwent Dragons, your supporters' club is Friends of Newport Rugby (FONR), your team plays at Dave (home of Newport rugby and Newport footy) and the club involved with running the Drags is Newport RFC. So why is not being Newport such a big deal? Browse other forums and it's the opposite viewpoint.

Because Newport RFC play in a different league to the Dragons, at different times, in different kit, with different players (mostly), coached by a different coaching team, and usually with a different set of fans.  It makes no sense to have two teams with the same name.  So the 'big deal' is that the pro team that represents a bigger area than just Newport needs to be called something that is more than just 'Newport', IMO.  Unfortunately we can't have a floating stadium in the skies above Gwent so it has to be somewhere, in some town or city.  I don't think that means it HAS to be called the same thing as the town they play in, as you seem to suggest above.  I guess the powers that be felt that the biggest population area in the 'region', with a stadium at their disposal, with the best transport links and the only motorway in the region running through the centre of it, was a more logical choice to get the team off the ground.  Open to debate obviously.

Can I just point out that this seems just as much a tetchy subject with you as with us!

if course it his for him, were the Dragons to fully embrace regionalism in full the Blouses would be very much alone in their standalone arrogant stance

[Guest]

I always liked the Steelers name as it embraces the heritage of North Gwent and even down town, but of course Newport diehards would see it as too similar to Ebbw.

I don't think many Newport diehards came over to the Dragons to be honest.  I know a few friends who never made it, preferring to stay watching Newport RFC in the prem.  Their choice of course, and fully entitled to it.  But I don't think a name change would have had a huge amount of resistance apart from on the SW Argus website.  Not really fans on there though IMO, just moaners who never go to games.

I don't really think supporters would be the issue. If you listen to Paul Turner, he of course blames Will Godfrey. I do think the board have held us back somewhat, with regards to the name and certain other aspects of how they choose to run the business.

[GavinDragon]

thing is you now have Pro Rugby Wales openly stating the the sides are transitioning from regions

[Fanster]

I don't like the sound of that final paragraph. I don't want the Dragons to be Newport and I don't know anyone who does.

Still confused by this I am and I do realise it's a tetchy subject (for some reason), but your team is Newport Gwent Dragons, your supporters' club is Friends of Newport Rugby (FONR), your team plays at Dave (home of Newport rugby and Newport footy) and the club involved with running the Drags is Newport RFC. So why is not being Newport such a big deal? Browse other forums and it's the opposite viewpoint.

Because Newport RFC play in a different league to the Dragons, at different times, in different kit, with different players (mostly), coached by a different coaching team, and usually with a different set of fans.  It makes no sense to have two teams with the same name.  So the 'big deal' is that the pro team that represents a bigger area than just Newport needs to be called something that is more than just 'Newport', IMO.  Unfortunately we can't have a floating stadium in the skies above Gwent so it has to be somewhere, in some town or city.  I don't think that means it HAS to be called the same thing as the town they play in, as you seem to suggest above.  I guess the powers that be felt that the biggest population area in the 'region', with a stadium at their disposal, with the best transport links and the only motorway in the region running through the centre of it, was a more logical choice to get the team off the ground.  Open to debate obviously.

Can I just point out that this seems just as much a tetchy subject with you as with us!

That is the major issue people seem to stuggle with regionally.  A team is based in a population centre with transport links, but represents people from a greater area.  Simple.  We all can understand it internationally, when Wales play out of Cardiff, so why is it hard to grasp on a regional level?

It does make sense in the 3 cases of the Dragons (Newport 145k) Blues (Cardiff 325k) and Ospreys (Swansea 240k) but with a mere 35k for Llanelli is that really true? As someone mentioned earlier Llanelli's region is the largest region of all, if the population was far more spread out and towns like Camarthen, Milford Haven, Harverford west, Cardigan, Aberystwyth etc, who combined make 70-80% of the regions population, wouldn't the new stadium have been best served somewwhere West like Camarthen, or Haverford West?

Now I don't know what would have served Welsh rugby better, but I'd like to get the perspective of a non Llanelli, Scarlets fan, who admits himself most fans at Parc aren't local.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Fanster, I think you have had that opinion already.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Poor sod, he always gave his all.  Bad for the Dragons, hopefully they half expected this and have someone in mind.

They've signed Shaun Knight from Gloucester, apparently.

[Guest]

Cardiff Blues away is our second PSF. Treat yourselves.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Is it really? Awesome!

[ScarletSpiderman]

Cardiff Blues away is our second PSF. Treat yourselves.

can I guess the Ospreys will be the final one?

[Guest]

That's what I was thinking SS haha.

[ScarletSpiderman]

That would be a bad start to the season for you though, losing three derby games.

Seriously though, those have to be the best crowd drawing fixtures for pre-season available. And a good test, as it will not be about trying out systems, as there is something on the line (all being only bragging rights) making it far less of the usually throw about type affair.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

The Scarlets one is especially good, seeing as you only visit Rodney Parade once every two seasons now, thanks to Judgement Day.

[LordDowlais]

Poor sod, he always gave his all.  Bad for the Dragons, hopefully they half expected this and have someone in mind.

They've signed Shaun Knight from Gloucester, apparently.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_59039,00.html

[ScarletSpiderman]

Rumour going around that Bath will not put a Release Clause in Falatau's contract, so Gats has blocked the move.

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