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FoNR await clarification
Since the Newport RFC and Dragons board have announced plans to sell Rodney Parade to the Welsh Rugby Union to pay off debts and secure funding going forward, Friends of Newport Rugby Trust (FoNR) have been meeting with key stakeholders in an effort to explore all available options before a vote on the offer is made by Newport RFC shareholders, probably in early May. Meetings have been and continue to be held with the club CEO and some directors, the WRU chairman and CEO, our Welsh Assembly Members, Newport City Council, legal representatives, directors of Newport County and representatives of the Newport RFC Former Players Association amongst others. It is important that all aspects of the proposed offer are understood and other potential options explored before the sharholders of Newport RFC vote on the proposal. Whilst the deal on the table is preferred by the directors of our club and is being presented as the only way forward, FoNR has a responsibility to the sharholders and supporters of Newport RFC to explore as many alternatives as are available. It may transpire that there are no viable alternatives but we have a duty to explore possibilities. Detailed information, including a business plan, for how Newport RFC can exist whichever way the vote goes have not been made public by the board of directors and it is very much hoped and expected that this level of detail will be provided at the same time that shareholders are notified of the EGM that will be called at which the vote will take place. We are hopeful of receiving that information this week. Those voting on this issue have the future of Newport RFC in their hands and should give the decision the attention it deserves. Kev Jarvis |