Under the lights of Melrose Synthetic, a former professional footballer, a conscientious coach and a group of talented teenagers take training to a new level.

Capital Football Club Coaching Coordinator Ali Efe undertook a session with the NPLY U18 West Canberra Wanderers squad, to mentor, educate and expose players and coaches to a new voice and new type of training.

A longtime advocate of the program, President and coach Steve Rohan-Jones said he and the players got a lot out of the session.

“We were delighted to have Ali along from Capital Football to coach the NPL 18s in a midfield possession activity,” Rohan-Jones said.

“He focused on looking at some of the basic and more advanced things that are necessary for possession in the midfield.”

A former professional footballer with extensive experience in Turkey and Australia, Ali Efe provides relevant coach support to clubs across

Canberra and surrounding regions, in a bid to enhance both the players and coaches’ experience.

“I thought it was a really valuable session,” Rohan-Jones said.

“I was an advocate for Capital Football to create the position in the first place. I’m really pleased this year that we were able to kick it off and really looking forward to getting him out again.

“My belief is the more players are exposed to different coaches and different types of thinking, the better they’ll actually be.

“On Ali specifically, I think it was a good choice by Capital Football. Ali really knows his football, he’s been around it all his life.

“He has lot to give to football so I think we should utilise him as best we can.”

If any NPL club is interested in having the Club Coaching Coordinator come out to their training session, contact Ali Efe at ali.efe@capitalfootball.com.au or (02) 6260 4000