Dragons RFC launch new Eco Hub backed by Sustainability in Sport Fund

Welsh Sports Association member Dragons RFC launched their Eco Hub and Cycling Storage Unit at Rodney Parade on Thursday 24 July, advancing their commitment to driving positive, sustainable change in their local community.

*The WSA’s Commercial Manager Tom Sharp (fifth from left) and Business Support Officer Sion Jones (ninth from left) were in attendance at teh opening*

The project was made possible after a successful application to the Sustainability in Sport Fund, delivered in partnership between the WSA and Admiral.

Made by reusing old storage units and housing the organisation’s two Best Sustainability Initiative trophies from the WSA Sports Industry Awards, this new Eco Hub will be available for any sustainability community groups looking to make a positive impact.

It is a community one-stop shop in the heart of Newport, that will become a key area for local community groups to come together and key resource area for those interested in making a difference.

Meanwhile, the new Cycle Storage Unit will also become a key facility for supporters visiting Rodney Parade – both in the week and on match days – enabling them to cycle to the stadium and tackle carbon emissions while getting fit.

And this is just the latest component of the Dragons’ ever-expanding commitment. The club’s triple award-winning Eco campaign, supported by Pledgeball, has made huge strides over the last two seasons, improving their sustainability, carbon footprint and driving positive change.

Read about more steps the club has taken at Rodney Parade here.

David Watts, Sustainability Lead at Dragons RFC, commented:

“We’re very proud to launch our Eco Hub and Cycle Storage Unit, supported by Pledgeball and funded through seeding from Admiral and the WSA.

“A huge thank you to Alice Jardine from Admiral for joining us and officially opening the hub. We appreciate everyone who came out to support this initiative.

“We’re thrilled to announce the hub will now be available for any community groups looking to make a positive impact and more details on how to book the space will be shared in the coming days.

“We have several exciting plans as part of the Eco Hub, including increasing the biodiversity and greenery in and around Rodney Parade as well as further afield in the local community, including within the homes of fans.

“It’s our mission to foster a long-term shift in behaviour and receptivity to sustainability messages amongst the community and fan base of Dragons RFC and the wider Newport city area and Gwent region. We can’t wait to keep building the project.”

Want to get involved? Dragons still have 60% of the project available for sponsorship! If your company would like to support our triple award-winning Eco campaign or discover more about our plans, please reach out to [email protected]

WSA Commercial Manager, Tom Sharp, added:

“We were delighted to attend the opening of the Dragons’ Eco Hub – an exciting step in the organisation’s long-standing sustainability journey and passion for driving positive, sustainable change for their local community and beyond.

“This project is a great example of the deep-lying commitment to utilising the power of sport to make impactful change across the sport and leisure sector. The WSA is delighted to enable projects like this, with support from Admiral, through the Sustainability in Sport Fund. We look forward to seeing further examples from other grant recipients of what the Fund has made possible!”