To: Welsh Rugby Union
Newport Black and Ambers



I have created this online petition to increase the support for the issue dealt with in the letter below. Basically for all those who do not feel the need to read the letter, it is stating that we, the supporters of the Newport Gwent Dragons would like the failed attempt at regionalism in South East Wales to be scrapped, and in its place a stand alone club, possibly under the name of the ''Newport Black and Ambers'' to take its place.






We, the undersigned, are writing to convey our fears for the future of professional rugby in South-East Wales and to challenge the received wisdom that the Newport Gwent Dragons are the model most capable of delivering excellence and success to the people of this area.



The reality - following the collapse of the abortive partnership between Newport RFC and Ebbw Vale RFC - is that the former continues to discharge her responsibilities in respect of regional rugby by operating, managing and hosting the Newport Gwent Dragons (NGD). As we understand matters 50% of the regional shares are held in trust by the WRU, but that all authority - by way of voting shares, and more importantly, liabilities - falls to Newport RFC. The implementation of 'regional' rugby has proved inequitable; Newport RFC alone undertakes the day-to-day management of the region yet is denied the stand-alone status that has been secured for the clubs that find themselves in an identical position i.e. Cardiff RFC and Llanelli RFC. Newport RFC owns the freehold of Rodney Parade and we fear that as a single company has been established to operate both Newport RFC and NGD this principal asset would be lost should the regional experiment fail. The role of Newport RFC should be fully acknowledged and rewarded should it be expected to risk its home and, some might say, its future.



It is our view that a successful model of professional rugby has been sacrificed on the altar of 'regionalism' and we are saddled with an entity that appeals to the few rather than the many. Let us not forget that attendances at Rodney Parade have plummeted in the last three seasons: NGD season ticket sales are, we understand, approximately half that of Newport RFC's in its final season as a professional club (2100/4000) and average attendances are now 4500 compared to 8000. The apathy directed toward NGD is exemplified by the fact that less than 4000 attended the recent Glasgow encounter which was critical in establishing whether NGD would qualify for the Heineken Cup only by way of a play-off. Contrast this with the 8,500 that attended a meaningless friendly between Newport Rugby and Uruguay only four years ago. This neatly demonstrates that rugby supporters in the south-east Wales area desire Newport's position in the professional elite far greater than merely the existence of professional rugby in Newport.



We presently have an outfit that, commercially - and whatever the accomplishments of the coaching and playing staff - is heading downhill, and rapidly. It is well documented that Newport RFC in the era of Tony Brown lost approximately £1million per year but received central WRU funding of only £750,000. Newport Gwent Dragons now receive approximately £1.8million per annum and it may be argued – convincingly - that a Newport stand-alone in receipt of this funding could turn a profit.



We believe that for these reasons - the relative commercial superiority of the Newport RFC professional model, liabilities, supporter sentiment and the stand-alone precedent established by Cardiff and Llanelli RFC – the directors of Newport RFC should re-launch NGD as a stand-alone entity i.e. be re-branded as the Newport Black and Ambers at the earliest opportunity and be permitted to play in the traditional colours of black and amber in direct reflection of the arrangements in Llanelli and Cardiff. These changes and these changes alone will acknowledge Newport's obvious contribution to the delivery of regional rugby and secure the future of professional rugby in south-east Wales. Only then can we envisage the passion, identity, community spirit and commercial sponsors returning to Rodney Parade. Without these the future appears bleak.



We are sending this letter to three specific groups all of whom have it within their gift to answer the questions that we earnestly ask and to make the changes that we request, or at least to offer reasoned explanation as to why the chosen route deemed most appropriate.



Firstly the media. We feel greatly let down by the media both locally and nationally for the lack of reasoned debate and lack of investigation of what passes for professional rugby in South East Wales. Robin Davey fulfils his columnist’s role by proffering his own opinion but he fails to engage in any balanced critique of how things are or how things might be were a different model adopted – he claims this is not his role. Well, whose role is it? The Western Mail and Wales on Sunday are a mouthpiece for coaches and directors but fail to ask questions of any import. All we ask for is a reasoned debate on the options for professional rugby in South East Wales. Is that much to ask?



Secondly the WRU. We hear much about the 50% ownership of Newport Gwent Dragons held in trust by the WRU. We also hear much claim and counter claim about what that ownership means, what it entitles the WRU to do and the constraints in places on the board of the Newport Gwent Dragons. What exactly is this relationship? It must be formally set out… let us know. It can only be beneficial for the market this team is aimed at to know how this club is run. This also brings us to the fabled participation agreement. The club and others state that name changes and colour changes are governed by this legendary document yet others say this is not the case, and nobody has said what the status of said agreement is and what might happen were it to be broken… indeed Llanelli and the Ospreys have acted in ways quite outwith the publicised aims of the agreement. In the interests of fairness and accountability this document must surely be published.



Finally, the much maligned directors of the Newport Gwent Dragons. Their investment is insufficient, marketing non existent and we see no evidence of any strategy other than desperate treading water and the occasional gasp for air. Seismic changes in attitude and ambition in the Rodney Parade boardroom are critical lest all hope be lost.



Bad news stories emanate from Rodney Parade and indeed from the rugby clubs supposedly underpinning this “regional” side on a daily basis. The contrast with the other professional teams in Wales could not be more stark. The time has come for action to be taken or for the demise of professional rugby in south east Wales to be accepted as inevitable.



One thing we refuse to believe is that this thing is set in stone and that it is impossible to change. Nothing is unchangeable. The Director’s hide behind the participation agreement, the WRU hide behind the non voting nature of their shareholding and all the while professional rugby in Newport heads ever closer to the abyss. Performance on and off the pitch is woeful and unlikely to garner any meaningful improvement unless significant changes are made.



We entreat those responsible to make these changes before it is too late or at least explain why the route you have chosen is preferable.

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