ACE has revealed the coaches for its first season in the new FQPL Development competitions.
Junior Vice-President Jason Gilbert was ‘excited’ by the appointments as ACE enters a “new phase” in it’s history.
The coaches are:
Scott Walker – U18 FQPL Development
Rob Pacoski – U16 FPQL Development
Erind Spahiu – U15 FQPL Development
Joel White – U14 FQPL Development
Stu Nielsen – U13 FQPL Development
All are pictured above, from left: Stu Nielsen, Joel White, Erind Spahiu, Rob Pacoski, Scott Walker.
“We are excited to have the coaches for our FQPL Development teams locked in for 2022,” Jason said.
“Each coach has experience and longevity at ACE and they understand the ACE way – that’s two of the major factors we seek to foster within the coaching ranks.
“This is a new phase for ACE and one which has a lot of potential in developing players of the future and each of these coaches have that passion and desire.”
The FQPL Development leagues replace Football Brisbane’s BYPL leagues, following the restructure by Football Queensland.
Scott Walker (Under 18) started coaching with ACE in 2006 with the Under 7s and has coached every year since, including every age group from Under 7 to Under 18.
Scott currently holds an FFA C Youth Licence and hopes to gain his B Licence in the next 12 months.
“My coaching priorities for 2022 are to bring together a new team of Under 18 players and prepare them for senior football in the coming years,” Scott said.
“This will include their individual positional development and football philosophy as well as their team development.”
Robert Pacoski (Under 16) has 10 years’ coaching experience at ACE. He has both his Senior and Youth C Licences.
“I am looking forward to coaching the Under 16 boys to bigger and better achievements in season 2022,” he said.
“I aim to cultivate a fun and challenging player-centered learning environment, and encourage a focus on both improved player technical proficiency, game sense and team development.
Rob always brings “passion, energy and experience” to his coaching and “trusts our boys will continue their passion and progression as they transition to senior football at ACE”.
Erind Spahiu (Under 15) has been coaching at ACE for the last three years and has his C Coaching Licence.
“The ball has been my first love ever since I was a kid,” he said “and still, even after hanging my boots up, I can’t turn my back to her.”
Erind likes to keep football simple. “To play the “simple” football is easy, you just need three components: Head, Heart and Legs … and not necessarily always in that order.”
Joel White (Under 14) has a background in physical education with age group for nearly 20 years.
“My coaching background is in schoolboy football at district and regional level,” he said, “the highlight being the Director of Football within the GPS sport system.
“I am incredibly excited by the depth and talent within the U14 squad and look forward to building on last season in the newly structured competition format in 2022.”
Stu Nielsen (Under 13) is “looking forward” to taking the ACE Under 13 FQPL squad into the 2022 season.
“The team has enormous potential and I’m excited to see what can be achieved,” he said.
“Our focus for the year will be player development and introducing new technical elements as the players graduate onto the big field for the first time.
“We will look to develop a proactive style of play that encourages ownership and creativity, supported by a strong technical foundation.”
We wish all our coaches, players and supporters the best of luck in the new FQPL competition next year.
