"You'd better check this, but I think 435, 436 and 437 were James Faulkner, George Bailey and Alex Doolan," Tim Coyle said as he began his role as Northern Raiders director of coaching by reflecting on the area's past successes.

Unsurprisingly, he was correct on all fronts.

"The names don't lie," he added. "They were the last three Tasmanians and they were all from Launceston."

Along with George Town's Xavier Doherty and Ulverstone's Ben Hilfenhaus, they represented a golden era for the region which had already produced Test greats David Boon and Ricky Ponting.

But Coyle said the lack of Tasmanians among the 21 Australians afforded Test status since Doolan suggests he has a big job ahead.

Of even more concern is the dearth of Northern Tasmanians breaking into the state team, with Mowbray's Jarrod Freeman and George Town's Gabe Bell the pick of a light crop.

Taking on the role in the week of his 60th birthday, the mastermind of three Sheffield Shield and two one-day cup victories for Tasmania wasted no time demonstrating his suitability by questioning previous commitment to the region and calling for long overdue improved facilities.

"I'm pretty sure Cricket Tasmania would put their hand up and say they have probably taken their eye off the ball with what we're doing in the North," Coyle said.

"Our playing and training surfaces need to improve. We cannot expect to develop the next crop of first-class players if they are on synthetic wickets and indoor nets. That's non-negotiable for me.

"We need to support players in the Raiders programs and have got to make sure our coaching people in the North have access to the right facilities. Because if we keep doing what we are now, we will get the same results and that is less representative players from the North.

"If we understand how important this is for Northern cricket, then cricket in Tasmania will be healthier. We cannot afford to cut off 50 per cent of our population.

"I've been around a long time and been involved in national and international programs and at the moment we've got some deficiencies but can use the Raiders program to improve and develop that because this program gives young players a chance to test themselves against the best in the state."

Coyle will be taking over from Andy Gower, who has overseen the first two seasons of the men's Raiders team, and providing support for Darren Simmonds and Robert Stewart in the women's second season.

"My role is to be part of both programs. Andy has done a great job in two years with many challenges, but it's time to take the program to another level and see the Raiders become something that the North and North-West are proud of.

"We have two really good coaches in the female team, but I'd certainly like some involvement there.

"My role in the men's team will be a bit more hands-on with a team of assistant coaches that we will announce in the next few weeks.

"The other part of the puzzle is to give them some facilities to train on.

"This is about time and opportunity. I've got the time and the opportunity presented itself. It's a helluva challenge but we'll share the load and hopefully see some on-field success."

A former Launceston wicket-keeper with a modest first-class record of just seven games, it was in a coaching capacity where Coyle was to assume legendary status.

His 21 years with Cricket Tasmania included a decade coaching in Launceston plus eight years in charge of the Tigers during which they won five national titles.

An extensive coaching CV also includes five years as an assistant to the Australian women's team, several tours as fielding coach to the men, a consultant to the Papua New Guinea program and taking Melbourne Renegades to consecutive WBBL finals.

Although the Raiders program is not always universally popular among the region's 12 clubs, Coyle said it is vital for the state that it succeeds.

"It's the only way to go.

"At the end of the day, we understand there are some difficulties around the program which we need to minimise to have the least amount of negative impact on club cricket.

"But the over-riding issue is to give young players the challenge of the next level, so it's a balancing act and it's part of my role to put something together that players will want to be a part of.

"We want people to understand that they are part of a healthy program for Tasmanian cricket in the North which has been a fantastic production line for Tasmanian players and we must see that continue.

"And a stronger competition will accelerate the development of players and maintain this program as the flagship of Northern cricket and give players a pathway.

"It's pretty simple."