Three time Sheffield Shield winning coach joins northern CTPL club in full time capacity

The Greater Northern Raiders’ hopes of making headway into the CTPL competition next season have received a boost with the appointment of Tasmania’s most successful domestic coach.

Mark Cosgrove and Ben Hilfenhaus carry Tim Coyle from the field as Tasmania celebrates winning the Sheffield Shield cricket final against Queensland at Blundstone Arena.

• Coyle to oversee Raiders entry into CTPL
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THE Greater Northern Raiders have secured the services of Tasmania’s most successful domestic coach in a huge coup for the CTPL club.

Three time Sheffield Shield winning coach Tim Coyle, who oversaw the state’s golden era in the competition, has been appointed director of coaching at the Raiders.

Tim Coyle looks on at an Australian team training at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Coyle has assisted in the background at the club — when other commitments allowed — since its introduction into the CTPL two seasons ago but will take a more prominent role leading into the 2020-21 season.

After standing down as Tigers coach following their last Shield victory in 2012-13, Coyle has worked with the national women’s team and held the reigns for three years as Melbourne Renegades WBBL coach.

However he was let go of that position in May as part of Cricket Victoria’s cost cutting measures due to COVID-19.

Oliver Wood of Northern Raiders drives in a CTPL match at Kingborough. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

His appointment with the Raiders will be a massive boost for the club, which was introduced into the premier grade competition in the state in an effort to give players from Launceston and the North West Coast the opportunity to test themselves at a higher level.

The side won four games in its inaugural season in 2018-19, but finished with the wooden spoon last year, managing just two victories.

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