Pat Lam has added another Bristolian to his Bears squad, signing tighthead prop Ashley Challenger on a one-year deal.
The Bristolian made his debut in the Premiership Cup, featuring from the replacements bench in the 33-27 victory over Exeter Chiefs on Satuerday.
Twenty-six-year-old Challenger's route to a professional contract at a Premiership club has been a winding path.
Challenger began his junior rugby career at Avonmouth Old Boys RFC, before studying at SGS Filton.
He then played his first senior rugby for Old Boys before stepping up the leagues to join Dings Crusaders and then Championship side Hartpury.
After a four week intensive trial at the Bears the frontrower has now been offered a full-time professional deal.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam explained: “Ashley impressed us in a month-long trial period with the club so we’re pleased to bring him in to our professional environment on a full-time basis.
“For Ash, it was his dream to be a professional rugby player and he has showed the attitude and dedication to make it happen.
"He’s been welcomed by the boys and is a great character.
“Ash is another example to young Bristolians that if you apply yourself and have the tenacity to succeed, there are opportunities at the Bears for homegrown talent.”
Challenger added: “It’s an honour for me and my family to be able to pull on the Bears jersey and represent the club I have supported growing up.
“I am so grateful to Pat [Lam] and the coaching team for the opportunity and will be working hard to repay that faith in me.
"The boys in the squad and the staff around the High Performance Centre have been unbelievable in welcoming me – it’s a fantastic culture here to be a part of.
“My focus is to keep working tirelessly on my game, learn from the guys around me and be the best I can be to challenge for a starting position.”
Challenge joins John Afoa, Kyle Sinckler and Jake Armstrong as the Bears tighthead options, while Max Lahiff can play on either side of the scrum.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old academy product George Kloska is now being groomed into an additional tighthead option having switched to prop from hooker over this summer.
Bristol assistant coach Conor McPhillips confirmed the club are looking to give him some playing time in his new position in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
McPhillips said: "Hopefully, we will get George in. He has gone from backrow, to hooker and now to tighthead.
"He has had some good A games and is getting minutes.
"He is a young guy and definitely a young prop so John Afoa has really taken him under his wing and is mentoring him and coaching him.
"There is a lot more learning for him to go but he will get some game time."
Afoa, 38, who was on punditry duty for Channel 4 on Saturday, is preparing for life after being a player and is balancing his final season on the pitch with duties as Bristol's scrum coach.
McPhillips said: "Jonny has done some good work and decided tighthead is the best position for him.
"It is a big task converting position but the biggest asset George has is he has the mindset that he wants to be there. He said he is loving tighthead which is a good start because there is no point sticking your head in there if you don’t love it.
"John has worked closely with him and looked at him as a hooker and a loosehead but they believe with his physique, mindset and mentality that tighthead is the best position for him."
