A long-term Dragons RFC supporter is taking his first steps back into the employment world thanks to a link-up with the Men of Gwent.
David Watts – known as Wattzy to many fans at Rodney Parade – has been passionately following the club home and away since 2014 and a dedicated Season Member over the last six seasons.
The 31-year-old from Newport has unfortunately been unable to work full-time over the last five years as he looks to live with the rare medical condition Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH).
But despite the adversity, he has become a much-loved figure around Rodney Parade with his involvement with Dragons Community, taking an active role in the Walking Rugby and Sporting Memories provisions.
And following conversations with Chairman David Buttress and Managing Director Mark Jones, David started an adapted part-time role at the club in March, working across departments to develop his employment skills.
David is now using his valuable experiences as a long-term supporter of the club as part of the commercial team, focussing his efforts on match day experience improvements for supporters, enhancing transport links and offers for fans, and helping reconnect the city by working with key stakeholders so they can become part of the #DragonsFamily
“It’s been fantastic to come into the club and back into a working environment. Everyone has been welcoming and I’m eager to learn and take further steps back into employment,” said David.
“I feel part of this club. I’ve been on the terrace for years and have been heavily involved with Dragons Community since 2021. Thanks to Karen Burgess and the community team for the opportunities it’s opened for me.
“I’m indebted to David (Buttress), Mark (Jones) and Westy (Jonathan Westwood) for helping me by creating an adapted role so I can come into the club part-time and learn new skills.”
Mark Jones, Managing Director at Dragons RFC, said: “Wattzy, as we all know him, is a popular figure around Rodney Parade and someone we were eager to help in any way we could.
“We pride ourselves on the #DragonsFamily ethos we have at the club, so we’re pleased that we can give him the chance to take further steps into the working world once again.
“He is working within our commercial team, but also across other departments so he can continue to learn new skills and how we operate at Dragons RFC.”
We pride ourselves on the #DragonsFamily ethos we have at the club, so we’re pleased that we can give him the chance to take further steps into the working world once again...
