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Title: Doncaster Dragons Subtitle: Super League Rugby by 2009 Author: John Wright  ID & Publication: 20050911006 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Sport (Local)

Doncaster Dragons have announced their intention to be playing Super League Rugby by 2009 as the result of either winning promotion or by applying for a franchise for the 2009 season when the competition expands to 14 teams. Not many people seem to have noticed, but since re-launching in 2001 with little fuss, the South Yorkshire club have slowly progressed to a respectable 5th place in National League One. Off the field they have a strong coaching programme in the schools and they have slowly developed the management structure at the club in preparation for the big day.

‘I already have meetings set up with Richard Lewis, Executive Chairman RFL, to discuss the procedures we need to go through to apply for a Super League franchise for the 2009 season. I do not anticipate our application procedures should be much different to that required of Les Catalan who were given plenty of time to prepare for life at the highest level. Sheffield Eagles proved that Rugby League can do well in South Yorkshire, and it is my belief they would still be a major force had the Don Valley stadium not had such poor viewing because on the athletics track. The new Lakeside Sports Complex, which will be completed at the end of next year, gives Doncaster the opportunity to showcase Super League in South Yorkshire, and we will not fail to exploit that opportunity’ said on upbeat Doncaster Chairman, John Wright.

Wright has always made it clear from the day he bought the Doncaster club in 2001 that his long term aim was Super League when the new stadium was completed. He has been criticised by some for rejecting promotion should the Dragons win the 2005 National League Grand Final, but most followers of the sport, including the RFL, agree that entering the competition with old facilities and minimal corporate opportunities would be not be the brightest business decision. The new 15,000 capacity stadium will give Doncaster the opportunity to offer in excess of a 1,000 business seats giving the club a chance to compete financially at the highest level. Easy access to motorway links, great parking and a semi-rural lakeside setting, ideally suited to the summer season of Rugby League, will give the sporting public of South Yorkshire a venue to visit unlike any other.

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