New Ospreys chief executive admits region are looking to leave Swansea.com stadium
- Published
Ospreys have been playing at the Swansea.Com Stadium since 2005
New Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley has said the region are looking to move away from the Swansea.com Stadium.
Bradley, who started this week, says he has held talks with landlords Swansea City Football Club.
The venue holds more than 20,000 supporters, with Bradley saying the Ospreys need to move to a smaller stadium.
"This is a fantastic stadium but it's too big for us," said Bradley.
"One of the things I'm keen to let people know is that we are looking at moving to a different stadium.
"We need to have a look at getting somewhere where we can have proper interactions with fans and create an amazing atmosphere. It's very important.
"I met with the management of Swansea City to talk about it before I talked to anyone else about it.
"They were supportive of what we're trying to do, it's encouraging. We wouldn't want to do anything that would upset our landlord and long-time partner.
"We want to find somewhere in this region where we can become the hub of the community for fans and for local businesses. We need to have a stadium where we can do that."
Ospreys have been playing at the ground since 2005-06 after spending the first two seasons of their existence playing home games at St Helen's in Swansea and Neath's Gnoll ground.
Both grounds have been touted as options to host Ospreys games in future but would need major redevelopments, while Ospreys held their New Year's Day victory against Cardiff at Bridgend's Brewery Field, an occasion which attracted a sell-out crowd of more than 8,000 supporters.
Bradley insisted Ospreys are not just looking at one venue, but would not disclose which grounds are being considered.
"I will be doing some work with my team on the viability of a few different sites, so we can make the best possible decision for the club, the fans and local businesses," Bradley told BBC Radio Wales Sport.
Bradley also met with Ospreys supporters before Friday's European Challenge Cup game against Perpignan at the Swansea.com Stadium.
"It was very interesting - they're desperate for the club to be successful, as we all are," said Bradley.
"There was a lot of uncertainty about if we're going to merge with another region or move away."
Lance Bradley is a former Gloucester chief executive
Bradley has finished his first week in charge and insisted he was excited about becoming involved in Welsh rugby despite all the uncertainty.
"I've read the doom and gloom and all the rest of it," said Bradley.
"When you look beneath the surface with what's happening, especially here, you'll see we've got a great academy, playing department, and we've got a team who are playing some fantastic, entertaining rugby.
"There's a big opportunity to take this club back to where we all think it belongs."
Bradley outlined his plans for the next 12 months, including an Ospreys women's team.
"I hope to have a much clearer position on where we are going to be playing," said Bradley.
"I'm hoping we can have much bigger attendances than what we currently have and to have much more engagement with local businesses, that would be a great start.
"On the playing side, Toby Booth [head coach] will have challenges with the salary cap and that will our manage expectations.
"I'm hoping we can continue to bring through exciting youngsters into the first team.
"Hopefully, in the next 12 months it's not just boys coming through but girls coming through to a women's team as well, which is on our agenda here."