Paul Wade

Originally born in Cheshire, England, Paul attained Australian Citizenship in 1984.

His career stared with Green Gully, but after playing only one season for them, he then joined Brunswick Juventus. After two seasons with Brunswick, he moved on to South Melbourne FC where he would stay for the next eight seasons including winning an NSL title in 1991, the NSL Cup in 1990 and a minor Premiership in 1993. He was awarded the title of NSL “Player of the Year” in 1988.

His first international appearance for Australia was in 1984. In total, he played 118 games for Australia from 1986 until 1996. He lined up for the Socceroos at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea and played in two FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1990 and 1994.

In 1994, he had the amazing task of marking the great Diego Maradona when Australia played Argentina in the World Cup qualifier of that year. He did a fantastic job despite Australia losing the game 2-1.

In 1996 he played his last International game in Canberra against Tahiti.

Since retiring, Paul developed school programs called “Paul Wade National Soccer Schools” which saw him take his skills around various parts of the country to help promote the game of football to the Youth of Australia.

Paul also does speaking engagements and he is a highly entertaining speaker who incorporates fun with very strong business, motivational and corporate messages that cover topics such as teamwork, leadership skills, persistence and how to beat the odds and win when others tell you that it’s not possible. He is one of Australia’s most sort after presenters and corporate trainers. He will not only get your staff physically fit, but there thinking will get an overhaul as well.

He is a great ambassador of disable sports as his role promotes "Don't Dis My Ability".