EFAF Coaching Development Program at Turkey (EFAF)

EFAF Coaching Development Program was conducted by EFAF in Turkey, by the ivitation of Turkish AmericanFootball Federation. EFAF Coaching Development program was represented by Coach Paul Vincent Miraval and Coach Giorgio Longhi, Turkish Federation was represented by Coach Oktay Cavus head coach of the Turkish senior National team. Coaches Miraval and Longhi stayed in Harem Hotel, in Istanbul and Angora Hotel, in Ankara.

Level 1 Clinic, in Istanbul, was held in Ministry of Sports Istanbul Branch Office building (Gençlik ve Spor Il Müdürlügü) Turkish Active Soccer Referees and Observers Association Seminar Room. Facility was well prepared before our arrival and the Ministry of Sports Istanbul Branch Office Manager and American Football Branch Representative were very helpful during the Clinic.

Level 2 Clinic was held in Gazi University, Ankara. Gazi University is also known for their strong American Football program in Turkey. They were named as Division 1 Champions in Clubs League last year and were named as Division 1 champions in College League 2 years ago. The Vice President of Turkish American Federation, Mr. Mehmet Güçlü is also one of the Professors in Gazi University and was the promoter of the Coaching Clinic in Ankara.

More than 40 Turkish Coaches were certified after the EFAF Coaches Development Program Clinic and had an opportunity to share valuable videos, information and material brought by Coach Miraval and Coach Longhi.

"Also we, as Turkish Coaches, had an opportunity to share information and use Coach Miraval and Coach Longhi’s experience outside the Clinic hours. They were available and helpful even in their spare times and very dedicated to help the Turkish football coaches".

"I personally have been conducting Player and Coaching Clinics in Turkey since 2001, with American High School and College Coaches. Being an AFCA Member since 2009 I also had a chance to attend many High-School and College Clinics and a few NFL Camps in America. The football conditions; programs, budgets, equipments, fields, etc… in America are very different than Turkey. So, with my humble opinion, I firmly believe that European Coaches understand us better and are very experienced in overcoming the difficulties we are facing today.

I’m looking forward to have an ongoing program with EFAF and I want to thank to Coach Paul Vincent Miraval and Coach Giorgio Longhi for their contributions to American Football in Turkey " said coach Cavus.

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