DAVID Rees today spoke of the excitement of his new challenge as Newport coach and as overseer of the Newport Gwent Dragons Academy.

The former Cross Keys coach confirmed he had been offered and had accepted the two roles and that he had informed his current employers, Coleg Gwent, but that there were some details to be completed.

He also expressed hope that with his academy hat on he would help provide quality young players for the Dragons and the region's Premier Division sides and work closely with the clubs for everyone's benefit.

"The job as Newport coach and the player development position with the Dragons are really exciting," said Rees.

"It's true to say I would not have left Cross Keys for any other club but Newport, where I enjoyed my time as a player.

"It's going to be a tall order taking over the Premier Division champions from last year, but circumstances will be different.

"There will be a completely new look to the side and we will be going down the lines now of development. "Last year some senior players were on contracts which were honoured by Tony Brown but that's no longer the case.

"We'll have a nice blend of young talent, with four under-21 caps, local players and some hard-edged, experienced performers. "So while the emphasis will be transferred to development, we can still be competitive and will look to retain the Premiership title."

Rees added: "My remit with the Dragons will be player development. Through my educational background I will oversee the academy structure and work with the academy manager and senior coaches to develop players for the Dragons and the top Premier sides.

"I will be judged on how many players are supplied to the Dragons. "It's an exciting and important new challenge, a player development role across the board, making sure the academy talent is spread out across the region. It's important to state that "I'm looking forward to working very closely with Andy Marinos (the Dragons chief executive) and being a local lad, born and brought up in Gwent, I understand the politics and the history of the county and I hope I can work very closely with the Premiership clubs in the region."

Rees pointed out the academy was not just to promote players up to the age of 19 and was for the benefit of all Gwent sides. "Ian George (prop) transferred from Newport to Cross Keys in the close season, but he will still get Academy support from the Dragons," said Rees.

"The academy is like a finishing school and continues to support potential professional players up to the age of 23."

He added: "I would like very much to thank Cross Keys for my ten years with the club and I hope in future I can help clubs, like them, Pontypool and others develop their young talent and continue to progress."