In the Community...
The Dragons Community team engage, inspire and create lifelong positive impact within our region through the delivery of innovative, diverse and inclusive community activation.
Our growing ‘Family of Provisions’ encompass Sport, Education, Inclusion, Community Outreach and Health and Wellbeing to drive change and positive outcomes.
Engaging with over 100,000 youngsters on an annual basis, Dragons RFC is at the heart of its community.
The community team, along with the Dragons players aim to be great role models in the region and inspire thousands, making a real positive impact on people's lives. There is a place for everyone at the Dragons!
Statement of Inclusion:
Dragons RFC are incredibly proud of our ever-growing community provisions and how these intrinsically link to our inclusion philosophy. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are embedded in our workforce and delivery practices.
We have created an extensive Dragons ‘Family of Provisions’, ranging from Visually Impaired, Wheelchair Rugby, to Allstars Mixed Ability Rugby. Our staff strive to upskill themselves with available training opportunities to ensure the impactful delivery of our provisions.
The Dragons adopt a 'Rugby for All' approach to ensure inclusivity regardless of age, race, religion, ability or disability, and align closely with the Sector Vision of ‘An Active Nation where EVERYONE can have a Lifelong Enjoyment of Sport’.
It is acknowledged that Disability Sport Wales lead the way with their inspiring insport series, and as a Club we pledge to delivering life-changing provisions inclusively of disabled people. We are committed to adopting & living the insport Standards and working with the resources available to achieve all levels.
Our Board, staff and community of Dragons RFC look forward to an inclusive future for everyone to enjoy rugby across Gwent and beyond.
An award-winning Dragons Community department....
Dragons RFC were named as the first-ever winners of a BKT United Rugby Championship Unity Award. The awards were introduced to recognise the great work done by players and teams from the BKT URC within their communities and for charitable causes.
Head of Community, Mike Sage, said: “We were delighted to win the inaugural Community Impact Award in the Unity Awards for the BKT United Rugby Championship.
"The work of the Dragons Community team is at the heart of our club and the local community, and I would like to acknowledge our staff who continually go above and beyond to inspire our Dragons Family.
"We will continue to grow our “Family of Provisions”, which are diverse and inclusive and often provide life-changing opportunities to communities right across Gwent."
George Nott - of Dragons RFC - was announced as a winner of the Difference Maker Award in the URC Unity Awards.
The awards were introduced to recognise the great work done by players and teams from the BKT URC within their communities and for charitable causes.
Nott, was nominated by Dragons RFC for the Difference Maker Award to recognise the impact he has made over the past two years in the promotion and support of a growing number of provisions.
George actively reached out to the Dragons Community team when he first arrived at the club, with a focus on inclusion and the Dragons Allstars – mixed ability – team and Walking Rugby programmes.
However, his impact can now be felt across all areas of the community work they do. George has touched every part of the Dragons Community team’s work and supports adult day services sessions and any ALN (additional learning needs) schools they visit. Among the projects that George has got involved with – as part of the outreach work the club do – are: Serennu Children’s Centre, Positive Futures, Early Intervention, BAME Community Support, Outreach Holiday Camps, Fit & Fed, Region on the Road – Club Support, Play on Development – Little Legends, Off the Streets, Health & Wellbeing, Give it a Try.
Mike Sage – Community Manager, Dragons RFC said: “George is such an inspiration to all our Community and Inclusion family. He really cares about supporting people and he makes such a positive impact by listening, giving his time and talking to our Dragons Family, in his humble manner.
“In over 20 years in the role, I have never seen a player with such passion and drive to help and support. You don’t need to ask. George is there and constantly goes above and beyond to ensure our vulnerable members feel valued. He is a class act - both on and off the field - and, as a club, we are lucky to have him.”
The judges recognised George’s commitment over the years to his volunteering. He is an inspiration to everyone both inside the club and beyond. By finding the time to give back and support the community in such an incredible fashion, George shows how it is possible, even with the demanding schedule of a professional rugby player, to make a profound difference, which the judges felt underpin the values that the URC stands for.
Dragons Community team were presented with the ‘Club of the Month’ award by ParalympicsGB’s Every Body Moves - powered by Toyota programme.
The award celebrates the club’s incredible work in creating and supporting a wide range of inclusive and adaptive ways for the disabled community to participate in the sport and engage with the club.
This echoing Every Body Moves programme goals of championing inclusion and empowering the disabled community to be more physically active in a way that suits the individual.
“As a club we are really proud of our community inclusion and social impact and this award is fantastic recognition of our family of provisions. There is a place for everyone at Dragons RFC and this award is shared by all those that take part, alongside our partners, staff and wider Dragons Family," said Mike Sage, Head of Community at Dragons RFC.
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF DRAGONS COMMUNITY - WATCH THE VIDEO FROM PARALYMPICSGB HERE
