Much of the success of this year has been achieved by some diligent efforts from the small team of officers who are dedicated to ensuring that the visitors to Rodney Parade get the best experience they can possibly provide. Once again this was evident this week by the visit of Hengoed Primary in conjunction with the ever successful partnership between the Community team and the Gwent Police working together to deliver the ‘Making a Difference Project’.
The year 6 pupils, many of whom admitted that they had never seen the Dragons play, arrived after a long journey feeling bored and fed up. Four hours later they departed back home with promises of being lifelong supporters of the Dragons and they cannot wait to attend a match in the forthcoming season.
It was the Community staff who caused such a turnaround in the kids as they provided the pupils with an exciting menu of activities which they found both interesting and inspiring. To kick off the day, education officer, Phil James took the group on a tour around the Rodney Parade stadium, followed by a session in the home changing room where some of the lucky ones got to try on one of the jerseys that has been worn by Taulupe Faletau or Andrew Coombs. The children also ran their hearts out in a sporting session that, community manager, Mike Sage delivered and they really enjoyed the motivational film of the Dragons in action in the new community suite.
This was all taking place whilst Dragons community officer, Janice Chappell continued to deliver the outreach Gateway Rugby project in primary schools from around the region.
But the pinnacle of their visit was when local favourite Ashley Smith popped in for a short player interview that he willingly extended to answer numerous questions, pose for photos and give all the visitors his autograph that left all the pupils, staff and police representatives on a huge high.
Once again successful outcomes were achieved, many now want to join their local rugby clubs and the Dragons certainly have many more fans from Hengoed.
