This season the Dragons Academy has really started to come to fruition. Over the past year and a half the young Academy members have matured and are now likely candidates for the professional regional squad. We have seen an unprecedented number of players represent The Dragons this season, with each and every one of them acquitting themselves really well.
Ashley Smith has gone from strength to strength in the senior environment. He has represented The Dragons 15 times this season in all competitions as well as being named captain for the Wales U20's team. All this has been achieved at the tender age of nineteen. Unfortunately he sustained a serious shoulder injury that required invasive surgery that will keep him sidelined until the start of next season, the plan is for him to come back quicker and stronger and more prepared for the rigours of professional rugby. The other players who have stepped up from the Academy to pull on The Dragons jersey this season are, Jamie Corsi the young tight head prop who, at nineteen years of age has added real value to The Dragons and someone who has a bright future. Lewis Evans the young back row man played superbly against Worcester in the EDF Energy Cup earlier in the year as well as playing a major role in the Wales U20's squad. James Bomber Harris, has made outstanding progress this season, he was sidelined all of last year with a knee injury and has come back playing superbly well for Bedwas RFC in the Principality Premiership as well as representing the Dragons against Leicester at Welford Road. He was also another member of an all Dragons back row for the Wales U20's team. Richard Wilkes who we converted from tight head prop to hooker a year ago has made great progress and the transition is starting to pay off, Richard deputised on a number of occasions while Steve Jones and Kieran Crawford were injured this year and has shown a lot of potential. Gareth Maule, who forced his way into the squad earlier in the season for the first away game against Glasgow, unfortunately broke his leg in his first league outing. Gareth has battled back to full fitness and represented Wales U20's this season playing very well. Phil Dollman, the ex Bedwas centre came into the Academy rather late and could be seen as the Grandad of the group! Phil was spotted as someone who had real potential, his application has been superb, his commitment and professionalism has earned him an end of season call into The Dragons squad as well as a development contract for next season.
The Academy has also been well represented through all the National Age Groups this season. The players making up our National U20's squad were primarily from The Dragons Region, which bodes well for the future. They include Ashley Smith (centre), Gareth Maule (centre), James Lewis (centre/wing), Marcus Johnstone (wing), Jimmy Norris (wing and he also played in the World Cup for Wales U19's), Dan Lydiate (flanker), Lewis Evans (No. 8), James Harris (flanker), Adam Brown (second row), Jamie Corsi (tight head prop) and Ben Flower (hooker.) When you put things in perspective, the National U20's squad will be the last benchmark before these young guys are exposed to Regional rugby and the guys from the Dragons academy have proved to be the best in Wales at their age group, which has positive connotations for the senior regional team and the coaching staff.
We have also been fortunate to have had a number of the young Dragons represent our National 7's squad in the IRB World 7's series, pitting their skills against the icons of the 7's world in challenging environments in front of capacity crowds of circa 45,000, James Harris played in the tournaments in George South Africa and Dubai, while James Lewis played in Honk Kong and Adelaide. This exposure will hopefully expedite these young guys development and propel them into The Dragons squad In the near future.
As we go through the National Sage Groups, we continue to get healthy representation for the Dragons Region, Wales U19's played at the IRB U19's World Cup where Jimmy Norris (wing), David Langdon (outside half), Ben Roberts (hooker), and late replacements Jason Tovey (who has also played for Wales U18's this season) and Tom Edwards were flying the flag for Gwent.
At U18 level Wales played the 6 x Nations Tournament in Glasgow and The Dragons had its fair share of young talent representing the principality, Aaron Coundley (loose head prop), Stewart Maguire (tight head prop), Ashley Sweet (second row), Lee Brey (second row), Jason Tovey (full back) and Adam Hughes (wing). The lads acquitted themselves really well against tough opposition both on and off the field.
This year the Dragons Academy Players have been plying their trade in all of our Principality Premiership teams, Bedwas, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale and Newport. All have bought into the system and recognise the value that these young men are bringing to their squad.
This time last year Alex Walker was the only Academy product to have come through the system and come out the other end. A lot of progress has been made over a season, Byron Hayward's appointment as Academy Conditioning Coach, Wayne Jones as Academy Skills Coach, the investment by The Dragons into analysis equipment to enhance the service we can provide for the future Dragons have all had a massive impact in terms of preparing the players for the rigours of professional sport both on and off the field. To sum up, I would suggest that there is obviously very talented players in the Gwent Region and thanks to our clubs, coaches and players we are starting to see the fruits of everyone's hard work, we now have young men of Gwent, with the aspirations, desire and ability to play for The Dragons, and long may it continue.
John Williams
Academy Manager
