Volunteer of the Month Award
The Dragons in conjunction with the WRU Development Officers will continue this season the Valuing the Volunteer programme which proved very successful last season. The award recognises the efforts and skills of volunteers in rugby clubs within the region.
The aim of the scheme is to lift the profile of the large amount of community rugby volunteers involved in the region and recognise those volunteers who have contributed to the development, promotion and advancement of rugby over a significant amount of time.
The recipient of the award for November 2006 is Mike Kent of Cwmbran Mini and Junior sides. He was nominated by Ian Richard. On the nomination form Ian wrote, "I would like to nominate Mike Kent for this award. Mike is married to Carol and they have four children. He coaches Cwmbran U10s on a Tuesday and has been doing this for the past four years. He also helps out with the other age groups. After training he then does sea cadets. He is an officer in the Sea Cadets and takes kids away on training courses. He works for Just Rollers which keeps him away from his family two nights as week as he is a lorry driver. He has two children who play rugby, his daughter Jenna plays in the U9s and his son Kieran plays in the U10s."
**The recognition programme is open to any person currently associated with rugby in the Gwent region, in a non-paid capacity at club, school or district level. If you wish to nominate someone who has made a significant contribution then you can download the form from the Dragons website (www.newportgwentdragons.com) and return the form to, Gerry Roberts, Regional Community Development Manager, Coleg Gwent, The Rhadyr, Usk, Monmouthshire NP15 1XJ
DRAGONS BREATHE FIRE AROUND THE REGION
The Newport Gwent Dragons squad were out and about the region at the end of November holding coaching sessions in conjunction with the WRU Development Officers.
With no game at the end of the November the week was highlighted as a perfect opportunity for honouring community commitments. Each player has adopted a club in the region that runs a youth, mini and junior side and the player will make three appearances throughout the season for that club, this can range from coaching sessions to presentation nights and it is up to the club to use the player how they see fit and ensure they get the best use out of their adopted player. The players used their quiet week to make contact with their clubs and arrange sessions. The Dragons players have also adopted a school in the area. Gateway Rugby continues to visit schools fortnightly throughout Newport where Development Officer Janice Chappell and Community Projects Manager Mike Sage run an hour's coaching session in the school with the emphasis on improving a youngsters skill levels as well as promoting positive social and behavioural messages. The players will make two visits to their adopted school throughout the course of the season.
Speaking on the initiative Mike Sage said, "This adds real value to our projects as the players act as positive role models that help to reinforce the important social and behavioural messages that we promote throughout our activities. This will be alongside sharing their rugby experiences and promoting the game of rugby to our youngsters.
Dragons launch the 5x60 project in Caerphilly Schools
The Newport Gwent Dragons took time out of their busy training schedule to launch the 5x60 scheme at St Martins Comprehensive at the end of November.
The scheme has been created as part of the Welsh Assembly Governments drive to get 90% of Comprehensive aged pupils taking part in 60 minutes of sport and physical activity, five times a week by 2023. The scheme aims to get more children involved in sport and physical activity by offering a wider range of activities such as dance, martial arts, swimming and many more.
The drive to get active young people in our communities is being driven by the 5x60 project. Local clubs are invited into schools to offer young people the opportunity to try a wider range of activities. By informing young people of the activities that take place in their local community, the project hopes to instil life long participation in sport and physical activity.
5x60 Officer, Jared Lougher said, "The Dragons players were superb with the kids and its great to see that the region are working so hard to promote physical activity and sport."
Dragons Rugby Stars Award Prizes to Budding Olympic Champs
Two of the top players from the Newport Gwent Dragons Rugby team presented a cup and medals to budding young athletes at a mini Olympics event held at the University of Wales, Newport last month.
Craig Warlow and Steve Jones watched teams from six south Wales primary schools take part in an exciting series of events that tested the pupils sporting prowess and stamina.
The trophy for top-scoring team went to Caerleon Endowed Primart School who beat off tough competition from year six pupils at Ponthir VC Primary School, St Julians Junior School, Usk Primary School, Lodge Hill, High Cross and St Illtyds RC Primary School. All the participants received a medal for taking part in the event, which was organised by First Campus, an innovative project designed to promote higher education across South East Wales.
"The project's aim is to appeal directly to pupils by using innovative forms of learning and support, and hopefully persuade them to change their perception of education," said Teresa Perry, a First Campus co-ordinator at the University's Centre for Community and Lifelong Learning. "It was a really great day and everyone had lots of fun. Students on the sports studies degree course created the various games which included both individual tests and relay races."
