Matt Salter believes Bristol could do much worse than follow Harlequins' example as they aim for a swift and sustained return to the Guinness Premiership.

The former Bristol flanker, who has been confirmed as the club's new Academy coach alongside new Academy manager Liam Middleton, is eager for the Memorial Stadium outfit to snap out of their boom-and-bust cycle.

Bristol Rugby's recent relegation from the Premiership saw them drop out of the top flight of English rugby for the third time since the introduction of professionalism in 1996.

Salter wants to help make sure that when they next return to the top tier, they stay there.

And he points to the model used by Premiership semi-finalists Quins, who have developed a number of talented young players through their Academy system since their own relegation in 2005.

"The challenge for us is first to identify the young talent, then get them ready for – and play them in – the first team," said Salter.

"The Quins model has worked really well for them. The year they went down, they were able to bring on people like Chris Robshaw, Jordan Turner-Hall and Mike Brown, who had a season in the first division and have gone from strength to strength since."

Salter's last game as a player for Bristol was their final-day 73-3 drubbing at Leicester earlier this month – and he is pleased to have been offered the chance to continue his involvement with the club he represented 170 times as a player over nine seasons.

"If this role hadn't been offered to me, my last involvement with Bristol would have been the relegation – and that is not how I would want it to have ended," said Salter. "The last season did not go the way I, or anyone at the club, wanted it to, but now I feel I can be a part of getting Bristol back to where it should be again.

"We have done it before, and we have to believe we can do it again. I hope I can be part of laying stronger foundations, through the youth system, because I don't want the yo-yo effect to happen again here.

"We've been up and down, up and down – but I want us to get back up and then stay in the Premiership and build from there. This role and this challenge is something I am very positive and passionate about."

While Salter is well known to Bristol's players and supporters, new Academy manager Middleton may not be.

He is currently the Talent ID coach for the Rugby Football Union, having previously coached the Zimbabwe Sevens team.

Bristol head coach Paul Hull said: "I'm delighted with the appointment of both Liam and Matt. I believe we will have the ability to build our Academy with these two coaches and be the envy of the country.

"They are both dynamic and driven individuals and I am very excited that they have joined our team. For Matt, it is a good reward for an outstanding playing career and anyone who knows him will know he will put a lot of energy and hard work into making our Academy a huge success."