This will give the Dragons’ Head Coach the chance to carry on the excellent work already achieved in developing the current players and the exciting talent emerging from the Academy. In recent weeks, Turner has met with the Dragons Chief Executive and representatives of the Board to develop plans with the emphasis being on local Welsh talent. Already the likes of Ashley Smith, Hugh Gustafson, Phil Dollman, Martyn Thomas and Lewis Evans have been given and grasped opportunities to establish themselves in the Dragons squad. These plans recognise the need to strengthen and develop the squad within the financial resources available.
Dragons CEO Gethin Jenkins commented: “This will allow the Dragons to build on the strong foundations laid by the coaches, players, staff and directors here at the Dragons in recent years. We have discussed at length what we are trying to achieve and Paul understands the financial position we have to work within. This is especially in light of the exciting regeneration project the ground will undertake in the next two years.
We will now work with Paul to retain and recruit new players as we build on these plans and head towards the new stadium. I thank Paul and his team for their work so far in developing the squad and providing the opportunities for Welsh talent to emerge. I trust that this development will continue as we plan and build towards the new stadium.”
Speaking of his reappointment, Paul Turner said: “I am proud of what we are doing here at the Dragons and representing the area I grew up in. The coaching team and myself have worked hard to develop local talent and I am glad that I have been given the opportunity to continue this development. I am aware of the financial constraints we face but we are developing plans to blend our exciting emerging talent with some experience in order that we can continue to grow as we head to the new stadium.”
Turner added: “These are exciting and opportune times for the Dragons and I am delighted to be a part of it.”
