Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam signs new five year contract
He's the club's most successful coach since rugby turned professional
Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam has signed a new five year deal with the club.
His new contract will keep him in charge at Ashton Gate until 2028.
The Bears announced the news this morning (September 17) ahead of the side's season opener tonight against Saracens.
In a statement posted on the club's website, owner Steve Lansdown says what Lam has achieved in his time at the Bears so far is "excellent".
"It’s not just the way that the team have performed on the field, it’s the culture and standards he has set to continually drive the organisation forward," Lansdown said.
“Bristol Bears are on an exciting journey, and we are delighted to have Pat at the forefront of that.
"He has embraced the rebrand and our vision of ‘Inspiring Our Community Through Rugby Success’.
"From the Academy to our Women’s team, Pat lives and breathes our mission every day.
"He has given the city a rugby club we can be proud of.”
Lam is already the most successful Bristol coach since the game turned professional.
In his first season he gained promotion back to the top-flight before leading the Bears to ninth in the Gallagher Premiership in 2019; the highest points tally for a newly promoted club in 12 years.
A year later the Bears finished third and gained their first major silverware since 1983 with a European Challenge Cup Final victory over Toulon.
Chairman Chris Booy said: “We’re delighted to have secured Pat’s signature on a long-term contract.
"It’s no surprise he would have the interest of every top club in the world, so it’s testament to the ambition of the Bears that Pat was eager to stay.
“We are absolutely aligned on the direction of the club.
"Bristol Bears will continue to grow and we will achieve sustainable success at the top of the domestic and European game."
Lam himself says it's an honour to continue in the role.
"To have the opportunity to work with a great group of people, and to represent our community with pride and love is very special.
“I am grateful to have the continued support of Steve, Jon and Chris and I’m thankful that they have entrusted me to keep leading the Bristol Bears along our journey of Inspiring Our Community Through Rugby Success.
“While we have come a long way in the last four years, I am really excited by what is still to come as we challenge all of us individually and collectively to raise the bar every day."
Bristol begin this year's Gallagher Premiership season against Saracens tonight under the floodlights at Ashton Gate.
Kick off is at 7:45pm.