Bringing young players through from the academy into the Bristol Bears first team remains a core pillar of Pat Lam's vision for the club and the director of rugby has appointed another former player to take charge of that process.
Club centurion Glen Townson has returned to Bristol Bears as academy transition coach, coming in to replace Jordan Crane who was promoted to defence coach in July following the departure of Omar Mouneimne who has moved to Exeter Chiefs.
Former lock Townson, 35, made 112 appearances for Bristol during six seasons in the West Country between 2012 and 2017 and brings huge experience to the role, having spent two seasons as forwards and defence coach at Championship side Ealing Trailfinders before heading up the West London club’s Academy.
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Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Following a detailed recruitment process, we’re delighted to welcome Glen back to the club to join the coaching team. His calibre and experience will add real value to our Bears Academy which is going from strength to strength under the leadership of Gethin Watts and Gary Townsend.
"Ensuring our homegrown players transition smoothly from the Academy into the senior team is a vital part of our plan. I believe Glen will continue to build on the excellent work of Jordan.
“Glen understands the club and the expectations that we have for our young players – he is raring to go and will play a key role in the Bears Academy moving forward.”
Bristol's U18s were named national academy champions last season in a sign of the significant turnaround of the club's academy and Lam has handed a number of the talented young crop their senior debuts during pre-season, with many of the players also out on dual-registered deals in the lower leagues.
Senior academy manager, Gethin Watts, added: “It’s brilliant to welcome Glen back to the club and we’re looking forward to him playing a pivotal part in the next phase of transitioning a key group of young players into the first team ranks.
“There has been so much work done in the last few years to enhance our ability to provide the right environment for our young players and we recognised that Glen’s qualities and personality will help us improve this further.”
Townson said: “I’m really excited to be back at Bristol Bears, a place I call home. There is some fantastic talent in the Academy and I’m looking forward to working with these players and helping to unlock the potential they have.”
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