THE official supporters club for Newport Gwent Dragons has been launched with the committee pledging to give fans a voice at Rodney Parade.

Dragons chief executive Stuart Davies announced at an end-of-season Q&A that the region would help supporters establish their own independent representative body.

An 11-strong committee has now been appointed and has been holding meetings to draw up a constitution and plot a route forward.

During the inaugural season of the Dragons Official Supporters Club membership will be free and granted automatically when a supporter becomes a season ticket holder or member of the region.

Fans who are not members will also be able to request membership though the committee, gaining access to supporters' club events.

DOSC is a not-for-profit organization and committee members have already been meeting with local businesses to try and secure sponsorship while a number of fundraising initiatives are being put in place.

The committee have been picking the brains of counterparts at the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Scarlets.

They hope to introduce initiatives such as pre-match events, subsidised travel to away games, deals with local businesses and, crucially, offer pointers to Dragons chiefs.

"Our main purpose will be that two-way communication between supporters and the region," said chairman Brad Hayward.

"It will give a chance for supporters to get involved and interact with the Dragons and we will provide the link; no feedback will be filtered, it will be warts and all but presented in a professional manner.

"The support that the Dragons have provided in getting up and running has been superb but the key thing, and something they have stressed, is us being independent.

"It's going to be hard work for us but it will be worth it because this is something that the supporters have needed – it provides a focal point and should drive improvements."

Dragons commercial director Pete Grzonka said: "We are really excited at the prospect of having a recognised body which we can consult with and engage at regular intervals and important times through the season. We would like to thank those on the committee for their ongoing hard work."

The DOSC will replace the Friends of Newport Rugby Trust, a body that works to support rugby at Rodney Parade and around the city, in representing Dragons' interests at Regional Level.

"We would like to acknowledge the input that Friends of Newport Rugby have made and thank them for their efforts to date" Grzonka continued.

DOSC Committee: chairman – Brad Hayward, deputy chairman – Phil James, secretary – Daniel Hallett, treasurer – Ryan Price, media/marketing – Gavin Potts, Matt Andrews, Gareth Bailey, Morgan Goff, Deb Hamilton, Richard Hicks, Christian Hyde

The club will be engaging with supporters at dragonssupportersclub.com, twitter.com/DragonsOffic_SC and facebook.com/DragonsOfficialSupportersClub

For more information about the supporters club contact Hayward by emailing brad.hayward@dragonssupportersclub.com