Dragons RFC launched the ‘Eco Dragons’ campaign ahead of the 2023/24 season at Rodney Parade - as we looked to improve our sustainability, carbon footprint and drive positive change.
To give the campaign momentum, we teamed up with several partners including Pledgeball, who gave fans an online platform to visually take a stand on sustainability.
Fans could then make a pledge to take actions, actions that together make a significant difference, and will save money at the same time.
Our league opener with Edinburgh Rugby in October 2023 saw us roll out several new initiatives, as well as championing local causes and work.
We made some immediate changes to drive our sustainability pledge, installing electric car charging stations, swapping the stadium lighting to LEDs that are timed and sensored, saving on unnecessary energy usage.
We rotated in more ecologically forgiving cleaning products, swapping to recycled paper and toilet paper, and phased in granular fertiliser. New vegan food options were made available across the stadium.
Staff have been engaged to ensure full buy in – even players have been briefed to fully understand the reasons behind it and show how they can help. i.e. Car share. Business changes have seen us look at how we operate across all departments. Nobody is excluded and everyone urged to have an opinion.
We agreed a partnership with Newport Transport to provide free public transport to all members and worked with Stagecoach to give away free travel packages.
Using surveys, we were able to monitor the use of public transport and promote several initiatives to change attitudes and perceptions around travel choices.
The response and pick-up from fans has been the most pleasing aspect, with our supporters buying into our attempts to safeguard the climate for future generations of Dragons supporters.
This continued commitment is something we are immensely proud of; however the work has not stopped yet as we work alongside Pledgeball and other partners to continue our work towards a green future.
We have set up a sperate working party with Newport City Council and Cardiff University who are looking to use us as a case study, so this project can be rolled out to more clubs and sports. They are currently unlocking funding resources so this project can be expanded further, and more analysis can be carried out on fan trends, impact an changing perceptions and habits (travel to games, eco usage, attitudes to sustainability).
We are excited by the scope and impact of the project so far, but also the way we feel this can grow in the seasons to come. The work has just started.
AN AWARD-WINNING PROJECT
Dragons RFC won Sustainable Spectator Travel Event of the Year for 2024 at the Team Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Awards.
Awarded for the great work we have done this year with the Eco Dragons campaign; we were nominated alongside Watford Football Club and Manchester City.
The award recognises the successful delivery of sustainable travel solutions for the those attending a mid to large size venue or event during the last 12 months.
We are also a double-award winning project with the Welsh Sports’ Association, securing the Sustainability Award in 2024 and 2025, further recognition of our continuing commitment to sustainable travel.
