Controversy
The naming of the region has caused considerable turbulence. Newport Gwent Dragons are a new side created out of the restructuring of Welsh rugby and represent their designated region as is the case with the Cardiff Blues, the Scarlets and the Ospreys. Some in the Welsh rugby world, such as Welsh rugby legend Bobby Windsor, believed that including the name Newport would alienate some fans in the surrounding valley. While much of the support in the larger Newport area supported greater identification with the City of Newport and a continuation of the historic traditions of Newport RFC. Several names were suggested but all were rejected by the WRU. In the end, the WRU decided the region's name for them, the "Gwent Dragons". However, initial response to the new region was mixed with many supporters hesitating on whether to buy a season ticket for the new side or stick to their local clubs. The company set up to run the side entered administration before playing a game and as a result the word "Newport" was added to the team name in a double-sized font, whilst "Gwent" was reduced. This addition and choice of kit added a greater Newport emphasis to the region and polarised the regions' fan base with supporters of Ebbw Vale, Pontypool, Cross keys and Newbridge turning their backs on the regional side claiming that 'Gwent' was no longer being equally represented. This debate continues, with The Dragons being accused of favouritism towards their Newport feeder club rather than the other feeder clubs.
The Newport Action Group, among others, claim the side has lost more supporters by including the name "Gwent" in its title. The crowds supporting Newport Gwent Dragons averaged 5,154 for the 2005/2006 season, whereas in the 2002/2003 season, Newport RFC was Wales' best supported club and British rugby's fourth best with an average attendance of 8,302 – after English Premiership outfits, Leicester, Gloucester and Northampton. Although controversy surrounding the naming of the region might be petty, rugby in South Wales is deeply divided among hundreds of historic rugby clubs with bitter rivalries. In the 2006–2007 season, attendance averaged 5,629 at Rodney Parade.
Read more about this topic: Newport Gwent Dragons
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