Dragons RFC have today be revealed as the first-ever winners of a new BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) Unity Award.
The club's Dragons Community team have taken the Community Impact Award run by the league - while Ulster Rugby scrum-half John Cooney picked up the The Difference Maker Award.
The awards have been introduced to recognise the great work done by players and teams from the BKT URC within their communities and for charitable causes.
The winners each receive £5,000 from CVC to donate to their cause of choice (player) or to invest in their community programme (team). They were both chosen from a short-list of six.
Dragons run 18 programmes through the “Family of Provisions” encompassing sport, education, inclusion, community outreach, health and well-being, engaging with over 40,000 youngsters on an annual basis.
They adopt a “Jersey for All” approach to ensure inclusivity - regardless of age, race, religion, ability or disability.
The judges felt their work was really at the heart of the community, driving change and positive outcomes with a meaningful impact to people’s lives.
Dragons RFC Community Manager, Mike Sage, said: “We are delighted and proud 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.
"Winning this award will only inspire us to continue our impact and the welcome £5,000 investment from CVC will help further support our inclusion groups with specialist resources and equipment.
"This news will also be well received by our Family of Provisions members who are integral to our success and proud to be part of the Dragons Family.”
Having been running for close on 20 years, with the support of many local partners and still growing, the Dragons Community team is sustainable with potential to grow and incorporates many qualities that underpin the URC values.
Award presentations will take place ahead of games in Round 10 and Round 11 over Christmas and New Year.
