MARK Hurley has ended his final stint as Minehead Barbarians coach by saying the club has the potential to reach the next step in the rugby pyramid.
The Kiwi returns to his native New Zealand on Monday but has seen enough in his three seasons at the club to suggest they have a bright future.
He said: "I think the club has the potential to reach the next league up.
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"A lot of administrative and structural changes need to be put in place but it can be done.
"From a playing point of view, the club is in a very strong position.
"There are some good players in the first team and some very talented kids coming through so the future is bright."
Hurley first came over to Britain three years ago to visit his son Jason, who captains the Babas 1st XV.
He was asked to coach the side during his stay and enjoyed it so much he returned for the next two seasons.
He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed it every time I've visited Minehead.
"The people have always been very friendly and welcoming which is one of the reasons I kept coming back.
"This will be the last time I'm over in a coaching capacity but I hope to keep the link going between Minehead and my club back in New Zealand, Carterton."
The link between the two clubs saw Babas' Richard Henson spend a season in New Zealand and Carterton winger Lance Stevenson is over playing for Minehead at the moment.
Meanwhile, Hurley is hopeful the Babas can still push towards a top four position in Western Counties (W), despite an inconsistent first half of the season.
Following last weekend's defeat at Withycombe, they are below mid-table but Hurley thinks they can quickly move up.
He said: "The division is so tight, it's still realistic we can get into the top four.
"We're on 11 points and the third and fourth-placed sides have 15 which isn't a big gap.
"But to do it, the team have to be more consistent."
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