Yahoo News Bristol Bears announce departure of senior coach with 16 word statement
Bristol Bears have announced that highly respected attack and backs coach Dave Walder has left the club after just one season.
Former fly-half Walder joined the Bears as senior backs and attack skills coach ahead of the 2023/24 season, replacing director of rugby Pat Lam's long-time coaching assistant Conor McPhillips. Before moving to Bristol, Walder was head coach at Newcastle Falcons having moved into the top job after several years as backs and attack coach at Kingston Park.
Walder's move to Bristol was heralded as a big moment for the club as he was one of the first outside hires Lam had made since his arrival in 2017, having previously kept a close circle of coaches he already had a relationship with, bringing over his team from his previous club Connacht and promoting from within, bringing through the likes of former Bristol captain Jordan Crane who is now defence coach at the Premiership side.
Bristol Live understands that despite the Bears attack finding top gear in the season half of the season with some stunning displays, Walder had been frustrated with the lack of coaching time and input he was able to have under Lam's coaching set-up.
Bristol confirmed his departure on July 1 with a short 16 word statement, which read:
'Dave Walder will leave Bristol Bears with immediate effect.
'Bristol Bears thanks Dave for his contribution.'
Bristolian Sean Marsden has been promoted to backs and attack skills coach having been Walder's assistant in that role.
