Bristol Bears' Tom Tainton is enjoying the sunshine at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, after having just successfully showcased the team's new kit by dangling a giant version of it beneath the 'Huboo' hot air balloon as it took off during the early mass ascent this morning (Friday, August 12). He tells BristolLive that it got a great reaction from the crowd - no doubt full of Bears fans - as well as from the team themselves, who were 'really excited' during their morning team breakfast at their new High Performance Centre, just a stone's throw from the fiesta site, where they had live feeds up on their screens and were showing each other the iconic image of their 'out there', 'maverick', 'innovative' kit launch.
Tom says they "had a bit of a chuckle" and joked about Callum Sheedy hoisting the balloon after having done some "prep at the HPC before", but overall he says it was "just a really great atmosphere". The squad will be taking to the main arena later today, at around 4pm, where they will be inviting young fans to train with them.
Some of the team have already enjoyed yesterday's night glow and will be enjoying much more of the event over the weekend, but Tom tells us that today is their 'official day at the fiesta', adding: "Bristol Bears have a genuine vision to inspire the community - it's not just a soundbite, it's a genuine vision for the club and for everyone who gets the privilege of working there, so the balloon fiesta is an opportunity to be a part of that community.
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"This afternoon the team will be here and they will be going around and signing things, there will be training sessions and photo opportunities and they will be in the arena offering free coaching." And Tom himself is a huge lover of the balloon fiesta, having visited away from 'official days' like today many times over the years.
He tells us: "I grew up in Bristol so the Balloon Fiesta has always been the iconic date in the Bristol calendar. I've been many many times - when I was young my parents used to take my sister and I to the night glow on the Thursday and now I live down on the harbour, it's just lovely.
"My partner and I will come tomorrow and we'll be at the night glow and then we'll come for the early ascent on Sunday morning as well, so it's just a really great example of when Bristol comes together and it's an international event and the spotlight's on us and it's just a big celebration of Bristol."
With the first game of the season coming up against local rivals Bath on September 9, Tom says that the Balloon Fiesta is the first opportunity for the team to get into the mindset of the season to come and it "really gets the ball rolling".
"Some of the team aren't from Bristol and of course, at our club, we're all adopted Bristolians really," Tom says, "but there are guys from all over the world and it really hits home that first time they visit the balloon fiesta and I think they realise 'wow, ok this is a really unique city. This is a really dynamic place to live and work and when you've got hundreds of kids and supporters who are here and waving their flags and wanting to meet them, I think it reinforces that it was a good idea for them to come and play for Bristol.
"And for sure we're really proud of what we've got in Bristol - I don't think Bath have a balloon fiesta! Let's hope that, if we're one -nil up when it comes to balloon fiestas, let's hope we double that when we play them on Friday, September 9!"
Tom adds that he believes this fiesta, the first back following the Covid-19 pandemic, is particularly special for the newer players in the squad who have come from outside of Bristol. He says: "I think they're aware of the reputation of the balloon fiesta but I don't think they probably appreciate the scale until they come.
"The other thing is is that we haven't had a balloon fiesta for three years, so for the large majority of our players, this will be their first visit. We've got beautiful sunshine, there's great energy, nice vibes about the place and I think the guys will really enjoy the energy and the scale of the occasion."
When asked if there was any way we could get Steve Lansdown to invest in a Bristol Bears hot air balloon, Tom says: "That's certainly a conversation! We'll be pushing that one hard!" Do you think a Bristol Bears hot air balloon would make for a great addition to the fiesta? Let us know in the comments below.
And, when it comes to the new season, Tom says that rugby fans should remain hopeful. He told Bristol Live: "It's no secret that there were some challenges last season, but what that's done is re-sharpen the focus that Pat Lam and the coaching staff have.
"The foundation that they've already laid during this pre-season is really exciting. We want to be really competitive and we want to be really successful, both in Europe and domestically.
"We think we've got the facilities, we think we've got the squad, we think we've got the right culture for it, it's all about putting it together. Two seasons ago we finished top of the Premiership, last season we had a bit of a dip and this year we've got to go again and we've got to re-establish ourselves as one of the leading forces in the Premiership."
Heading back out to enjoy the sunshine before he meets with the rest of the Bristol Bears team, Tom gives a message to the people of Bristol, those at the fiesta and Bristol Bears supporters, saying: "We can't stress enough how grateful we are for the support - and I really mean that - the way we've been backed from our days as Bristol Rugby to now.
"We've got like 10,500 season ticket holders. The club is growing at such an exciting rate and our message is that not only do we understand the privilege of representing the club but everyone is well aware of what we need to do this season and I think, as Bears fans know, it'll be a rollercoaster but I tell you what, there's no better feeling than when you're in your place at Ashton Gate on a Friday night and the flames are going up and Charles Piutau is in the back field - that's what we're about.
"We want to bring enjoyment and we want to bring happiness to our community and the way you do that is to bring success to the city, so that's a big focus for everyone."
You can catch the Bristol Bears squad in the arena from 4pm on Friday, August 12 and, who knows, you may even spot a Bears player around the fiesta site throughout the weekend.
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