We’re delighted to announce that our Head Coach, Andy Bell, has extended his contract with Old Bristolians for a further two years to continue the momentum we have seen since he took over.

This period has seen OB’s achieve their highest ever league position (3rd in L7 Counties 1), reach the final of the RFU Community Cup in 2025, playing Ealing Trailfinders 1871, and then go one further in 2026 to win the Bristol Combination Cup by beating Winscombe (L6).

In retaining Andy, it underlines the club’s intention to set its sights on being in contention for promotion for their First and Second teams this coming season. We are actively recruiting players of all levels who have the ambition to improve their rugby through the excellent level of coaching OBs boasts, as well as contributing to a positive rugby ethos and high-quality training environment with great physiotherapy support.

Andy says “I’m really pleased to commit to OBs, it’s a club with massive potential and I’m looking forward to supporting those ambitions on and off the field.
We’ve made massive progress over the last two seasons, winning the Combination Cup was great for the players and everyone involved at the club, we need to build on that momentum and prepare well to challenge for the top spots in the leagues this season.”

Over the recent seasons we have seen how Andy’s deep links with the Bristol Bears and impressive experience and qualifications have benefited the whole club – across all our senior teams as well as minis and juniors:

• Level 3 & PGDip Performance Sport Coach
• Bristol Bears / University of Bristol - Performance Backs Coach
• SkillClub co-founder
• Head Coach - Watsonian FC
• Assistant Coach - University of Edinburgh

Andy runs Skillclub with Mitch Eadie and Ellis Genge – working to up-skill grassroots coaches, enhance player development and bring insight from the pro game to community players.