By James Hall, Epigram Sport contributor and third year Law student
Pat Lam believes a ‘Champions Cup attitude’ is at the heart of a newly christened Bristol Bears looking to stake a claim as a top six side. Doubtless such an ethos was evident to any one of the record-breaking home crowd that watched the club defeat local rivals Bath last month, but subsequent form has been mixed.
Two defeats followed, both on the road, to Saracens and Gloucester. Though ordinarily these might be dismissed as mere teething problems against better sides, they are all the more frustrating for supporters who were told that foregoing 130 years of tradition to adopt the Bears name was a small price to pay for continental success. Fans would be forgiven; it would seem, for harboring some skepticism.
Bristol Rugby owner Steve Lansdown says he is prepared for "some dissenters" after deciding to rebrand the club Bristol Bears from next season.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 17, 2018
👉 https://t.co/7rV2kEoXM2 pic.twitter.com/x0LzxtCYRO
But time is on Lam’s side. Though memories of last season’s successful promotion campaign looms large in the memory, there is still much of the season to go, and with every game comes a chance to reward supporter patience. The club has reiterated that the rebrand, adopted in June, is part of a continuing plan to attract ‘a whole new generation of supporters’ to Ashton Gate, both locally and further afield.
If nothing else, Bristol will hope to stem the flow of players and fans to high-achieving rivals, an issue that has cost the club success previously, and long caused owner Stephen Lansdown sleepless nights. In his view, the key to success lies in promoting a ‘more accessible’ organization, a feat made easier by the international investment the Bears seek to achieve through the club’s new identity:
‘Premiership Rugby is fast becoming a global game, with the US and Asia markets rapidly expanding and opening up exciting new opportunities in media and sponsorship. We recognize the potential of this new platform and how it can accelerate our ambition to be a Champions Cup winning organisation.’
Community too will play its part in the new-look side. The establishment of the ‘Clubhouse’ at Ashton Gate , a designated supporter –player interaction area is a tangible step in the right direction if the club’s vision – ‘To Inspire Our Community Through Rugby Success’- is anything to go by.
As far as things are concerned on the field, it would appear to be no coincidence that the Bristol academy has this year seen its largest intake of players, the product of a much-lauded community foundation.
✅ @premrugby win number 2⃣ pic.twitter.com/1c8KQppugj
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) September 22, 2018
The future is bright for the Bears, with a home victory over Harlequins marking a return to winning form. However, they must avoid looking ahead too readily. Last season’s successes will have no doubt boosted the squad, but they cannot allow complacency to creep in; they must remain the hunters, not the hunted.
Featured image Flickr / Diego Sideburns
