Dragons Rugby are delighted to announce long-term partners - and our good friends - Bisley have extended their strong relationship with the region.
Dragons and Bisley have enjoyed a long and happy partnership since the launch of regional rugby that continues to grow with every passing season.
The signing of a new extension will see Bisley continue to feature prominently on all first team jerseys and retain the long-standing naming rights of the Bisley Stand at Rodney Parade.
We are also pleased to announce our relationship with Bisley Chairman, Tony Brown OBE – a former owner and Board Member at Dragons – is to be celebrated in conjunction with Dragons Community.
The Gateway Rugby scheme – our flagship primary school initiative that inspires schoolchildren across the region – is today being renamed the ‘Tony Brown Gateway Rugby’ project, as part of Dragons Community’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
Inspired by Tony Brown’s vision for rugby back in 2000, the Dragons Community department was set up to support his innovative thinking for not only bringing first-class players and rugby to the area but also engaging and inspiring the local community off the field.
Mike Sage, Community Manager at Dragons, said: “I was brought into Rodney Parade by Mr. Brown at the very beginning, along with our ever-popular Community Officer, Janice Chappell, some 20 years ago now, and it is thanks to his vision that the department has grown to what it is today.
“Gateway Rugby was the first initiative we set up and it continues to run successfully throughout the region, providing schools, teachers and pupils with inspiration through our sport.
“It is fitting that we honour Mr. Brown’s legacy on our anniversary year and so we’re delighted the initiative will now be known as the Tony Brown Gateway Rugby project.”
Mark Jones, Managing Director at Dragons, welcomed news of the extension with Bisley and the celebration of Tony Brown’s impact at the region.
“Everyone at Dragons is extremely proud of our deep-rooted and important relationship with Bisley,” he said.
“Since the onset of regional rugby, we’ve enjoyed a loyal partnership and Bisley continue to be fantastic supporters of the Dragons, sharing our vision and passion for the region.
“Tony Brown’s influence and legacy at Rodney Parade can simply not be downplayed. He transformed Newport rugby,” he added.
“He was instrumental in so much of what we see around us today and his work in establishing the Dragons Community team has meant thousands of youngsters over the last two decades have got involved and benefitted from our sport.
“We’re delighted the Gateway Rugby provision is being renamed as a lasting legacy of his impact and importance to us all here at Dragons.”
Richard Costin, CEO at Bisley commented: “Bisley has developed a close working relationship with the Dragons over many years thanks to Tony Brown, our Chairman, and it’s been fantastic to see them grow and flourish.
“Being new to Bisley and to Newport, I hadn’t realised the impact that his leadership has had on the Dragons and our local community.
“We are both proud to be sponsors once again this year, and particularly delighted that Tony’s work will be celebrated in this way.”
Since the onset of regional rugby, we’ve enjoyed a loyal partnership and Bisley continue to be fantastic supporters of the Dragons, sharing our vision and passion for the region...
