Former PNG striker turns attention to coaching role

He has been prolific on the field for nearly two decades, and now former Papua New Gunea striker Maurie Wasi, pictured, is turning his attention to leading from the sidelines.
After making the move to New Zealand 15 years ago, Wasi has been involved as a player and a coach.
But as his knowledge for the game developed, the latter became his new passion.
“I’ve been playing but also involved in coaching for the last six years and I’ve been really getting into it,” Wasi said.
“I’m really enjoying coaching so I want to see if I can go far with that.”
In the past two seasons, Wasi has worked as a youth coach for Auckland Football Federation Talent Centre, coaching the U14 boys in 2017 and the U16s in 2018.
Auckland Football Federation Talent Centre technical director Nic Downes said Wasi’s role as was to lead all coaching aspects of the preparation cycle, with the objective of creating an environment where the players can excel.
“Maurie has worked at Western Springs Auckland Football Federation Talent Centre for a number of years now and has invaluable knowledge of the young kids coming through the ranks, having coached in the academy system for several years,” Downes said.
Wasi was recently accredited with an Oceania Football Confederation C-Licence and he hopes to continue coaching.