[4] He played his first match in the National Basketball League for the West Adelaide Bearcats in February 1979.
[4] Following his playing career, Ali coached the 36ers and the West Adelaide teams, and was inducted into the BSA Hall of Fame.
[4] He also became the chief executive of the McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association.
[7] Prior to his appointment, Ali had been the General Manager of Netball South Australia for two years.
[7] Since 2016, Ali was still living in Adelaide, and was working as the CEO of Legacy SA.