What is sport in Newport all about?

With the Ryder Cup around the corner, Newport County's promotion and very respectable start to life in the Conference and the Newport-Gwent Dragons coming off the back of what was arguably

, their most successful season in their short life-span - it would be cynical to suggest that Sport in Newport was anything but 'on the up' these days....But, for how long?

We all know the famous saying 'What goes up, must come down' and once the Ryder Cup mayhem has died down, County settle into a hard fought campaign and the realism (potentially) of European failure once again hits home at Rodney Parade....will things look as promising?

I can't help but think that Newportonians need to 'make hey whilst the sun shines' when it comes to seizing upon the impact of its sporting success....and it wouldn't be foolish to suggest, that the current period is one of Newport's sunniest for many a year.

Whether it maybe the traditional sports like Rugby, Football and Golf or more niche interests like Speedway and Athletics, I think its important that the success of the elite in Newport's sporting world (however minor or brief) has a lasting impact on Newport and the supporters; that is, after all, one of it's main aim, whether they realise it or not.

For example, Newport hosting the Ryder Cup is not solely about the event itself...a few guys in funny patterned trousers hitting a little ball with metal sticks for a few days....its about the impact of such a hosting, the experience and exposure that it brings and how Newport and its inhabitants, can make the most of it, before, during and after.

I'm sure local Golf club memberships will increase markedly in the wake the competition, much like, sign-ups for childrens football teams across Newport will rise with every win County can secure this season and beyond. And surely this can only be a good thing?

2010 maybe an important year in terms of Newport and its national, even international image; The excitement of SKY journalists crawling all over our Celtic Manor and the BBC Wales correspondents actually giving Newport County some coverage may lead some into feeling like a kid at Christmas, but lets not forget who's going to be left behind once the limelight fades.

Its the people of Newport who will have the final say on the actually 'success' of sport in Newport. Whether its reflected in increased swimming in the Leisure centre, higher attendances at Cricket games or more sales of Newport-based sport shirts; it is these things that will be the mark of achievement, not Ryder Cup viewing figures and advertising revenue at local sport grounds, which only really have a home in board reports and amongst the chat of City Councillors at 'network' meetings; they are not the true testiment of success, and certainly not, what sport in Newport is all about.

What is sport in Newport all about?

By: Andrew Desmond

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