Wairarapa United star Paul Ifill and daughter Bethany playing football in their backyard. PHOTO/YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT
FOOTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Wellington Phoenix legend Paul Ifill has setup a YouTube channel to help keep children moving and entertained during the covid-19 lockdown, as well as teaching them some new skills.
Ifill, who runs the Paul Ifill Football Academy in Masterton, said it all began with him kicking the ball around the garden with his daughters, Romy and Bethany.
“It’s what I do with my girls when we’re home. I kind of got bullied into recording it by my wife Elle, but once we put the first one up, we’ve had a great response,” he said.
“We had over 3000 reaches on Facebook and more than 700 views.
“It’s a great opportunity for parents and kids to connect while keeping active and is all designed to be done out of your very own backyard.”
Eight-year-old Bethany appears in all three videos and Ifill said they provide children and parents with the opportunity to learn new skills, new games to play with each other as well as the daily challenges for beginner, intermediate, and advanced footballers.
“You don’t need all the gear. If you don’t have cones you can use rolled up socks, and we’ve been doing one-touch passing off a chilly bin.”
Ifill, who also plays for Wairarapa United, is going to run some competitions for those attempting to master the skills.
“I will video myself doing some trick shots and put it up next Tuesday.
“If kids try and copy what I do and send in a video, I’ll give away a signed shirt for the best video.”
The links to the episodes can be found on the PIFA Facebook page and the Paul Ifill YouTube page.
