Paul Ifill

The ex-Barbados international made over 100 appearances for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League following a career in England that included stints with Milwall, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

Ifill will remain in charge of the Wairarapa United women's team in New Zealand and is looking forward to his first role with a national team.

"My main aim throughout my coaching career has always been to make everyone I work with better at what they do, whether it be the coaches, team managers or players," he said.

Former Wellington Phoenix standout Paul Ifill will coach the women’s squad, while ex-Team Wellington boss Matt Calcott will steward the men’s side.

Ifill is well-known in New Zealand football circles through his exploits with the Phoenix in the A-League where he made more than 100 appearances for the franchise from 2009-2014 following a lengthy professional career in England.

The 38-year-old former Wellington Phoenix star has been in good form for Tasman, who sit fourth on the ISPS Handa Premiership table despite having not won any of their past four matches.

Ifill has scored three goals in the first six games of the season, including the equaliser against Suburbs, and though he has been used as an impact player off the bench in recent weeks, he was happy with the contribution he was making.