A warm welcome to all Dragons supporters for our final game at Rodney Parade this season, as well as to our opponents for tonight’s GUINNESS Pro14 fixture, first time visitors to Newport, Toyota Cheetahs.
With a full month of the Pro14 still to run and less than a week after the Six Nations has ended, it seems somewhat early to herald the end of the season, but it’s in keeping with the vagaries of our schedule this campaign, which has seen our home fixtures considerably clustered.
Our last match this season comprises the first half of the Judgement Day VI double header at the Principality Stadium on 28th April. Whilst we look forward to the season finale at our national stadium which is befitting of the occasion, this will therefore be my last programme remarks this season, so I’d like to thank you for your support throughout what has been a tough season and a season full of change for the Dragons.
I think you learn a lot about people when the going gets tough, my experience tells me the best people have the strength to step forward and drive improvement. Our 6 Nations internationals Cory Hill and Elliot Dee have epitomised this sentiment, by performing with distinction throughout this year’s Six Nations with the famous three feathers on their chest. I’m sure we are all also delighted to see Cory making the team of the tournament and it is great to have our internationals back to represent the Dragons. I’m looking forward to our match against the Scarlets, it will be a great chance to see our team at the world’s best rugby stadium wearing our colours and taking on last year’s champions.
Next year we’ll continue with the expansion of our regional strategy and again take one competitive match away from Rodney Parade, as well as the Judgement Day fixture. We learned a great deal from the match at Eugene Cross Park, about the scheduling, facilities and working with the local community. Despite the result there were some pleasing aspects to report as we welcomed new supporters to watch the team. Even though our ticket sales are up this season, more paid-for match tickets were sold for the match at Ebbw Vale than for any of our other Pro14 fixtures this season, with the exception of the Welsh derbies. Forty-five per cent of the advance match ticket sales for the Edinburgh game went to Ebbw Vale postcodes, plus the match day walk up is traditionally local and we are very happy with this data point.
Judgement Day VI will again provide an opportunity for old and new Dragons supporters to come and see the team perform on the world’s best stage. Ahead of this match existing season ticket holders will have the opportunity to renew their season tickets for next year with 2018/19 prices frozen for renewing members, as we promised at the start of this season.
Next year will soon be upon us. We’ve started the Dragons turnaround, even if the results on the field so far are yet to show it, but with a number of new exciting players arriving and our promising youngsters a year wiser, supporters should expect to see results improving.
We take strength from your support and we all have a passion to move higher up the table. Winning is a habit, with a few wins we can build momentum and grow confidence. In addition to the signings and contract renewals for players we’ve already announced, we are strengthening the club’s leadership off the field and I expect a new Dragons Managing Director to be in place before pre-season resumes.
Back to Rodney Parade and tonight’s game, the whole team would love to see us finish our Newport fixtures with a good performance and result. We’re working hard behind the scenes and on the field to make the Dragons region one which makes supporters proud. Next year will be about real improvement, I’d ask you all to get behind the team and I know the results will come.
Ymlaen y Dreigiau
David Buttress
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