FOOTBALL freestyle is becoming more and more popular and Gavin McKinney, 20, from Uddingston is one youngster trying to kick off a career in the sport.
The idea started on YouTube and has become a widespread sport practised by many people.
The sport consists of carrying out a range of tricks with a football using various part of the body.
And Gavin is just one of many who has developed a real fascination for it.
He said: “I used to play football and practice all of the time. It became a kind of hobby.
“I always tried to beat my record of keeping the ball up and then I found a YouTube community of people who do the sport.
“I started speaking to people and they would tell me new things to try.
“When you lean one trick you learn another and before you know it you get obsessed.
“At the start I was just having fun but then I realised I had a passion for it.”
Gavin admits the sport started as a hobby but now has to practice at least two hours a day to perfect his skills.
He then stumbled across a whole new world of football freestyle when he learned how serious the sport is considered.
He said: “When I was at school I was one of those people who didn’t know what they wanted to do
“I realised there were competitions out there and that I could make a living from it. I think to make a living from something you love is great.”
Gavin is now gearing up to take on the competition at the Super Ball in Liberec on August 25.
He said: “It started off as quite a small event but over 200 people now come to it from all over the world”
“Last year I went out of the competition early but I wasn’t taking it as seriously as I am this year and it was the first competition I had done.
“It’s held in a track and the last 16 people get to perform in a big venue.”
Gavin has also been asked to compete for the WASS Freestyle Cup in Algeria which will bring something different to his experience.
He said: “Algeria is a doubles competition, like a kind of battle-off style.
“I was asked to the competition at the last minute. Most people have had three months to prepare and I only have about three days.”
Gavin is now using his passion to make a full on career and his busy schedule indicates the popularity of this unusual but entertaining sport.
He said: “Football freestyling has grown so much. It definitely wouldn’t exist without YouTube, that’s how people have found out about it.
“Sometimes when I do events I’ll be told to entertain the kids and I know how to teach them a couple of tricks. It’s taught me how to deal with children.”
The rising star is now ready to make a living out of the sport and kick out the competition at his upcoming events.
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