Newport born Hewitt, who is a product of the Dragons academy and has played for Wales U20s as well as appearing for both Newport and Cross Keys in the Premiership, says he can’t wait to run out on the new Desso playmaster surface.
“Going out there to see the work that has already started on the pitch makes it all real!” said Hewitt, who returned to pre-season training under new coach Bernard Jackman last week after time out through injury.
“I know that everyone throughout the rugby department is looking forward to the season ahead with extra excitement and hopefully this new hybrid pitch will help us play the way that we want to all year around.”
The new Rodney Parade pitch will be playable by Saturday 26th August, with a new drainage and irrigation system – installed alongside a 3G artificial pitch surround – ensuring an uninterrupted fixture list for all three teams accommodated at the venue (Dragons, Newport rugby club and Newport County football club).
The first stage of the installation process, overseen by the same company which installed the Principality Stadium’s hybrid surface, is to remove the current playing surface in its entirety.
Next the irrigation and drainage systems will be repaired and replaced, before a new root zone and top soil is introduced, then a carpet which contains both live grass and artificial fibres is rolled out.
The installation will then be left untouched as root growth sets in, before it is ready for the Dragons, Newport Rugby Club, Newport County and their players and supporters to enjoy.
“Flooding at Rodney Parade will be a thing of the past and the playing surface will be stable and consistent and fit for purpose,” said Principality Stadium manager Mark Williams, who has been part of the WRU consultation group tasked with improving the Rodney Parade facility.
“We are using the same company who installed the pitch at Principality Stadium (Hewitt Sportsturf) and they will also be providing training to all Rodney Parade ground staff on maintenance of the new system over the next few weeks, alongside our own head groundsman Lee Evans.
“The Rodney Parade solution is similar to that which we have at Principality Stadium and to the surfaces at Liberty Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium, although it does come with its own unique and well publicised set of circumstances with, three teams sharing it throughout the season.
“It may not always be ‘picture perfect’ but what you get with this system is the security that the pitch will be playable all year round and free from the kind of problems which have threatened fixtures in the past.”
Hewitt, who is more used to gliding over the Rodney Parade surface than digging it up, can’t hide his excitement for the season ahead at the newly names, club and region embracing, Welsh-centric Dragons, which the WRU assumed control of this month.
“I think that I am twice as excited to get back into playing, as I missed a lot of training due to my head injury,” he added.
“That coupled with the WRU coming in and the new coaching structure means it’s really exciting times for the Dragons.
“Pre-season has been really good with Bernard coming in and he has given us all clarity, we know what he wants from us and there is a clear message for us all.”
