The coach has let go of the reins, but Andrew Gower has forecast a bright future for the Greater Northern Raiders for next season and beyond.
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Gower resigned his post last week after two seasons in the job, citing family reasons for a desire to watch his two daughters play sport instead of long away trips to Hobart.
But despite just six wins from 36 matches in the side's opening two Cricket Tasmania Premier League seasons, their indifferent record had little effect on his decision.
"I think we're prepared to be on the cusp of something exciting," Gower said.
"I do think this season the results have shown that the boys have actually improved.
"To have three batters in the top 15 runscorers in the competition and to have Jake [Williams] play a Tasmanian Futures League game also is a credit to the program."
The final standings only displayed the Raiders won all summer twice - half as many times as its debut season.
But Gower believed from both watching and analysing every match that those numbers do not tell the full story.
"There were just a lot more positives, even though we did not got a lot of wins on the board that we had got the previous year," Gower said.
"We just didn't get blown away in any games this time.
"So it's really just exciting because, I mean, we didn't lose outright unlike the previous year, which I think we lost outright three times.
"We were in a number of games we lost like New Town twice, Glenorchy, as well as North Hobart in a T20.
"There was probably half a dozen games we were in it until the last couple of overs."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:
Gower is hoping to walk away leaving a legacy on the group for years to come.
The Raiders had to bring in players from 11 uniquely different Cricket North and North West clubs and all the while simmering the rivalries under the one team banner.
The club also turned over an astonishing 43 cricketers in year one and introduced more rookies this season.
"From a personal point of view, I'm really proud of what we achieved," Gower said.
"I think the boys have really gelled well together. We're certainly heading in the right direction as a group.
"The next two years will see us pushing towards that fourth spot and finals."
Gower said despite his departure in charge, he is still willing to play a diminished role behind the scenes.
The 46-year-old, who is on the verge of completing a level 3 coaching accreditation, has flagged the idea to take up sessions in Devonport to help the new coach out.
The Raiders announced online they are seeking expressions of interest from candidates in the role of head of coaching or men's coach for the 2020-21 season.
"I've had 30 years involvement in the game and I still love it all," Gower said.
"I will continue on whatever capacity the Raiders want me to. I have a little bit already going on right now with Cricket Tasmania and the pathways stuff as well.
"So I do want to continue coaching and being involved.
"Just coaching Saturdays are something I need to look to reduce and give a bit up on. We did a lot of work in the preseason, so I'm keen to continue that through Cricket Tasmania too."
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