Newport City Council has pledged its full support to Dragons RFC as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) launches a consultation into the future of elite rugby in Wales.
The council has underlined the importance of the Dragons to the local community, highlighting the club’s extensive outreach work, which engages with more than 120,000 young people across the region every year. From wheelchair rugby to mental health support and veterans’ initiatives, the club’s community programmes provide wide-ranging benefits beyond the pitch.
Council leaders have also raised concerns about the economic impact if professional rugby were to disappear from Newport, noting that matchdays at Rodney Parade bring significant footfall into the city centre and support many local independent businesses.
Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, Leader of Newport City Council, said:
“We must retain Dragons RFC in Newport and Gwent. Newport City Council will continue to support and work in lock step with the club to maintain professional elite rugby in our city and our region.”
The council echoed the comments made by the directors of Dragons RFC, reaffirming that elite rugby must remain in Gwent and that the club has every reason to continue proudly in its current form.
