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Statement concerning Dragons Supporters Club
The Trust has been asked to clarify its position now that the Dragons have introduced the Dragons Official Supporters Club. While we congratulate the officers of the new supporters club, its formation will not affect the work of Friends of Newport Rugby, which will continue as before. FoNR was formed with the main purpose of providing support to Newport RFC, and that has been the focus of its activities over the years. We will work alongside the Dragons Official Supporters Club in areas of common interest, as we did when there was a Newport RFC Official Supporters Club. At that time the distinction was made that the supporters club provided benefits and services to supporters, whereas FoNR was providing benefits to the rugby club. In the period since formation FoNR has raised more than £295,000 to support rugby in Newport and the surrounding areas. With the support of our members, we will keep that going into the future. The Trust's constituition includes the possibility of supporting any regional team in which Newport RFC has an interest. In practice the Trust has never given any direct assistance to the Dragons, and a commitment was made at the founding meeting that we would not do so without coming back to members for approval. Of course the Trust has supported projects with the infrastructure at Rodney Parade, as it is owned by Newport RFC, but the improvements benefit the supporters of all teams using Rodney Parade. If in future Newport RFC no longer has an interest in the regional side, then the constitution would not permit the Trust to assist the region. Dave Griffiths |