Unfinished business in bringing back an elusive premiership was the motivation that got Andrew Gower over the line in a surprise coaching move to Launceston next summer.
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Gower has come off coaching the Greater Northern Raiders for their inaugural two seasons in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League before resigning over lengthy travel affecting spending time with his family.
The initial undertaking into coaching for the 46-year-old father of two after a much distinguished Cricket North playing career was Launceston before turning to Mowbray, the Raiders and now full circle back to the second oldest existing club in Australia.
Gower has signed up for two seasons with an option to take up a third in a sure sign that the coach that was invited to a Cricket Australia national coaching camp last year wants to bring back a first grade title to the Lions for the first time since 2010-11.
"When I was there four or five years ago, they were quite young as a team when we were first developing the young players," Gower said.
"The Currans, the Newlands and all those kids were just coming through and were like only 16 or maybe 17 then.
"Now that they've grown up and played a lot of A grade cricket and Launceston's list is at the stage where it is quite mature.
"They need to find a way to have some success and now to make a grand final.
"That's our priority No.1 this season to get us into a situation where we can have a real look at winning a flag as well."
Gower had sounded out Lions president Glenn Joyce and after much discussion the two mutual parties came to an agreement.
"There was a certain interest from the players to see if i was interested to do the position first," Gower said.
The role will relieve Alistair Taylor of the complex burden that is coaching-captaincy duties, leading club batsman and premier first-grade wicketkeeper.
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The pair have a good understanding after having also worked together at the Raiders while Taylor was also their vice-captain.
The 25-year-old is set to unleash his best season yet for the ultimate team goal after settling back at the NTCA Ground late in the campaign to another third placing.
"We know that AT is a fantastic player and for such a young guy to take on the role as head coach is a big ask," Gower said.
"He's done just a tremendous job over the last two years, but he just needs to focus on himself to play as good cricket as he can.
"He's under no illusion - he really wants Launceston to have some success.
"When I was there last time, I had a really good relationship with AT and now he is captain we will continue to build on that."
The good rapport continued working together in the region's pathways for the under 17s and 15s squads this past season.
Gower will also utilise his new coaching role to advise the Raiders first hand of the rising talent playing not only for Launceston but their rivals in the Cricket North and Greater Northern Cup competitions.
"I'm still really keen on the Raiders concept and where it is going," he said.
"So I certainly won't be hold any of our players back. I'll be encouraging all players at Launceston going forward, to play at the highest level possible.
"We're just not sure what that looks like at the moment as they haven't appointed a new coach, so we're not sure where the program is going at this very moment.
"We'll be starting training in the next two or three weeks, with the intent that anyone who wants to play at the highest level is more than welcome to."
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