Former Wellington Phoenix star Paul Ifill is establishing a football academy in Masterton.
Ifill, whose successful A-league career ended last season as a result of injury, told the Times-Age yesterday that provinces such as Wairarapa were often overlooked when it came to providing chances for promising younger talent to receive specialised coaching. He wished to help rectify that.
The Ifill Football Academy will be run in conjunction with Wairarapa United, based on the artificial turf about to be installed at Memorial Park. No starting date has been confirmed but Ifill said he would be very much hands-on when it kicked off.
