Newport to play majority of games away from the Parade
NEWPORT RFC are to play the majority of their home matches away from their traditional Rodney Parade base. They will now stage the bulk of their home games at Newport Stadium (Spytty Park), starting with Saturday’s Indigo Welsh Premiership fixture against Merthyr.
There has been much debate over the last year or so about where the Black & Ambers should play their rugby.
Having three teams - the Dragons, Newport County and Newport RFC - using Rodney Parade has put a heavy strain on the pitch which had to be replaced over the summer.
There has also been an issue over how much it was costing the Black & Ambers to play there, with the ground having been bought from the club by the WRU as part of the takeover of the Dragons in 2017.
Plus Newport have not always been able to play in their preferred Saturday afternoon slot because of the other teams using the ground.
Now the situation has been resolved with a new long-term agreement having been put in place.
That will see the Black & Ambers play a minimum of two high-profile games at Rodney Parade every season for free.
They will play their remaining home fixtures at Newport Stadium in the International Sports Village.
Rodney Parade has been the Black & Ambers’ home since 1879 and has staged some legendary matches, including the 1963 victory over the All Blacks.
Club chairman Will Godfrey said: “This is an opportunity for Newport RFC to have greater control over its match day experience, while still retaining strong links with Rodney Parade.
“We feel club rugby should be played on Saturday afternoons and recognise the demands at Rodney Parade with three sides playing there.
“We are delighted we have found a solution that suits both Dragons and Newport RFC and that Newport RFC will continue to play some games there each year.
“Newport RFC would like to express their thanks to David Buttress, Mark Jones and the management team at Dragons for their support on resolving the issues and especially for their ongoing assistance in the preparation for games at Newport Stadium.”
Dragons chairman David Buttress said: “The history of Newport RFC and Rodney Parade is very important to me, so I wanted to make sure we had a sustainable way of retaining that relationship between the club and the ground in the long-term.
“It’s been crucial throughout this process to find a practicable solution for Rodney Parade, as a sportsground, that supports the best interests of all stakeholders: Dragons Rugby, Newport County and Newport RFC.
“I am grateful to Will Godfrey (Chairman, Newport RFC) and Mark Jones (Managing Director, Dragons Rugby) for all the hard work that has gone in to reaching this mutual agreement that will ensure Newport RFC’s long-term future at Rodney Parade.”