Bristol women's head coach signs new two-year deal

Dave Ward led Bristol to their first league final last season

Bristol Bears head coach Dave Ward has signed a new two-year deal with the club to stay until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Ward took over in 2021 and led the team to the Premiership Women's Rugby final last season for the first time in their history.

The club are currently fourth in the table, with four wins and two losses out of their six games so far.

Ward's assistant coach Tom Luke has also extended his contract by the same period.

"It was a bit of a no-brainer, we've started something here and we want to finish it," Ward told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It's exciting and we can't wait to see what this year and the next couple of years looks like as well.

"For me and Tom it's a place where we genuinely come in every day smiling, we don't know what we're expecting.

"It was great for us to get sorted and start planning for next season."

Ward, 39, is a former Harlequins hooker who played almost 300 games during his career, which also included spells at Bath, Northampton, Sale and Cornish Pirates.

He has also led the Bears to two Premiership semi-finals during his tenure.

"Since they have taken over the programme and the team have gone from strength to strength," said Bristol Sport Group chief executive officer Gavin Marshall.

"We believe that under their leadership we can become PWR champions and continue to inspire the next generation of young girls in the city."

Bristol face local rivals Gloucester-Hartpury in a repeat of last season's final at Kingsholm on Saturday, who they were beaten by 36-24.

Ward said the club have "unfinished business" and have been the "bridesmaid" a few times.

"For us it's about taking it one step further and delivering on what we set out to do," he said.