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'We've started something we want to finish': Coaching duo extend Bristol stay
By Martyn Thomas
Bristol Bears Women head coach Dave Ward and his assistant Tom Luke have signed contract extensions that will keep them at the Premiership Women’s Rugby club until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Former Harlequins hooker Ward was named Bears boss ahead of the 2021/22 season, with Luke becoming the first appointment to his backroom team. The pair have since helped lead the club to three consecutive top-four finishes.
Last season they became the first team in the league’s history to win a one-off away semi-final, beating Saracens at StoneX Stadium to seal their place in a maiden PWR final.
That debut showpiece appearance in June ended in defeat, to Saturday’s opponents Gloucester-Hartpury, at Sandy Park but Ward remains committed to helping Bristol take the next step.
“It was a bit of a no-brainer,” Ward told reporters about his new deal. “We’ve started something, and we want to finish it and it’s exciting.
“We can’t wait to see what this year, and the next couple of years, looks like.”
Bristol Sport Group CEO Gavin Marshall said: “We’re really pleased that both Dave and Tom have signed extensions to their contracts as we look to take our women’s programme to the next level and win our maiden silverware as a club.
“Since they have taken over, the programme and the team have gone from strength to strength and we believe that under their leadership, we can become PWR champions and continue to inspire the next generation of young girls in the city.”
In a statement issued by the club, Luke said, “coaching with Dave and working alongside the other Bears Women’s staff is a pleasure” and it seems the feeling is mutual.
“Every head coach needs a right-hand man and Tom is mine,” Ward said.
“I think we're quite different personalities, which is again really, really helpful in a team dynamic where we've probably got different relationships with all the different players.
“If I'm not getting through to a player, Tom can, and vice versa.”
He added: “We love working together, we love pushing each other. We had an argument just the other day and when I say argument, we just argued about the way we wanted to play.
“And I think that's quite exciting as a coach because you want to be tested. You want to also be able to justify your ideas.”
Luke said: “It’s been an amazing three and a half seasons so far, with so much untapped potential left in this group.
“I’m really grateful for the continued opportunity to keep working with these women on delivering a style of rugby that is exciting, inspiring and innovative for our community.
“Coaching with Dave and working alongside the other Bears Women’s staff is a pleasure and I feel genuine excitement every time I drive into Bear Country. Extending my time here was an absolute no-brainer.”
Bristol head into Saturday's encounter with Gloucester-Hartpury at Kingsholm fourth in the PWR table, one point and one place below their hosts.
Their two defeats so far have both come at home, though, and the Bears head to their West Country rivals with a perfect record on the road, having beaten Loughborough Lightning, Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers on their travels.
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Go to comments“Slot and Arteta are among the youngest you named. They have the least experience as a manager (6 years each). Espírito Santo and Pep are the oldest and have the most (12 years + each). Pep is pushing 17 years experience, all at elite level. There are plenty around his age that won’t have the same level of experience. Plenty.”
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