A metalwork dragon made by engineering students from Coleg Gwent made its debut during half time of a rugby match between the Newport Gwent Dragons and the Scarlets.
Fabrication & Welding and Vehicle Body Repair students at Coleg Gwent’s City of Newport Campus were commissioned to make the decorative sculpture, made from stainless steel, copper and brass, for the Newport Gwent Dragons after members of the club saw some of the students’ work during a visit to the campus.
“It is a magnificent piece of work, one which both students and staff should be very proud of,” said Mike Sage, Community Manager at Newport Gwent Dragons. “I know we at the Dragons are immensely overwhelmed by the effort and care taken by the students to produce such a masterpiece and it is one that will be on display in our community office for many a year to come.”
Over 12 weeks during workshop sessions, students developed skills including pattern development, plasma cutting and soldering whilst working on the project.
Staff and students who worked on the project presented the dragon to the team during a game against the Scarlets on Friday 20 September at Rodney Parade.
The dragon, given a bright red finish by Vehicle Body Repair students, certainly seemed to bring the Gwent Newport Dragons luck as the team won their match 23-16.
Fabrication & Welding Lecturer Darren Brooks said: “It was an honour for us to present the dragon to the club, and we had a great time at the match.
“Coleg Gwent students were delighted to have been invited to make the dragon for the club and local community, and the finished sculpture was a credit to their hard work and dedication.”
The dragon is now on display in the Newport Gwent Dragons community office at Rodney Parade.
Photograph: Newport Gwent Dragons Education Officer Phil James, Secretary to the Directorate at Coleg Gwent Tremaynne Thomas, Dragons player Nic Cudd, Coleg Gwent Fabrication & Welding lecturer Darren Brooks and son Taylan Brooks, Coleg Gwent students Daniel Kerslake, Ryan Thomas, Thomas Holloway, Corey Burnell-Jones and Miles Tague, Dragons player Matthew Pewtner, Dragons Community Officer Janice Chappell and Dragons Community Manager Mike Sage.
