I would firstly like to thank you all for your support throughout the opening few months of the new BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
While results have not been what we wanted, the energy and passion you’ve created at Rodney Parade has been fantastic to witness and has helped create an unrivalled atmosphere. You have certainly made your voices heard!
The next block is approaching fast, so it’s great to see the level of excitement and interest in our Boxing Day fixture with our local rivals Cardiff Rugby. With over a month to go, we are assured of the biggest crowd of the season and seats are limited. The message is simple: do not delay if you want to join us for the big festive game as we are fast heading for a sell-out!
We have also just released our Half Season Membership packages for the second half of the campaign – that includes the Boxing Day game. We’ve kept prices across all categories low once again as we look to make it as affordable for everyone to watch us. Please tell your friends and family and let’s get Rodney Parade rocking once more in 2025.
Earlier this month the club announced the departure of Dai Flanagan from his role as Head Coach. It was a mutually agreed decision by all parties based on a review of performances and the future direction of our club. Dai always acted with huge professionalism during his time with us and he has our sincere thanks for his contribution and dedication to the club.
I know there has been a lot of speculation over what the future now holds for our coaching team. It’s important to firstly stress that the Board are committed to a full analysis of our set-up and will not rush into future appointments or changes. We must have a thorough review and make the right decisions for the long-term success of our club.
Filo Tiatia has been installed as our Interim Head Coach and he has our full support of the backroom staff and everyone at the club as we look towards block two in the URC and the start of our EPCR Challenge Cup campaign. Let’s get behind the team as we head into the next series of crucial fixtures.
Away from the action, an agreement has now been reached between us and Newport County over a new lease and we are delighted that the football club have agreed to keep Sky Bet League Two football in the heart of the city. We also have a new long-term agreement in place with Caerphilly County Borough Council for the use of our training base at the CCG Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach. These developments give us great stability as a club and ensure we can look forward and plan our future.
We were delighted to welcome international rugby to Rodney Parade in September when Wales Women secured a striking debut win over Australia in preparations for the WXV tournament. It was a great night for the club and our delivery of that international match day has been recognised by us securing the Wales Women versus Ireland Women fixture in the Six Nations in April.
Rodney Parade will also host an Under-20s international for the first time since 2008 - when New Zealand were visitors in a Junior World Cup clash – when Wales Under-20s men play Ireland Under-20s in the Six Nations in February. Tickets are available to both international fixtures now so please get behind them as we look to bring more representative games to Rodney Parade.
It continues to be a very busy time for the team here at Rodney Parade as we build towards a big end to 2024. Our thanks, once again, for your continued support as we head into the festive season.
We look forward to seeing you all back with us in early December as we welcome Montpellier under the lights in Newport.
SUFTMOG!
Rhys Blumberg – CEO, Dragons RFC
Filo Tiatia has been installed as our Interim Head Coach and he has our full support of the backroom staff and everyone at the club as we look towards block two in the URC and the start of our EPCR Challenge Cup campaign...
