Paul Wade is one of Australia’s greatest and longest-serving Socceroos. ‘Wadey’ as he is known
around the world has had a remarkable international career including the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, two World Cup campaigns in 1990 & 1994 and one of the toughest tasks in world football, to mark ‘Diego Maradona’ in the two-legged World Cup playoff with Argentina. During his 10 years
international career he was also the captain of the Australian team and played over 118 games.
Born in Cheshire, England, Paul moved to Australia with his parents at age 11. By 1984, he attained
Australian citizenship and represented Australia for the first time in Australia’s ‘B’ side against
Tasmania. That same year, he made his debut in the National Soccer League with the Green Gully
Cavaliers. Paul’s club career was spent entirely in Australia, a rarity for players who often go to
Europe on the lure of a better quality game, more passionate fan support and higher salaries.
Paul’s experience and passion allowed him an easy transition into a career as a sports commentator. He has worked with all major Australian networks and has covered National Soccer League (NSL), with a highlight being with SKY NEWS on the 2006 & 2010 World Cups, and commentating on A-League, Socceroos & Matildas internationals.
In 1995 Paul released his autobiography ‘Captain Socceroo: The Paul Wade Story’. Paul has epilepsy and often makes appearances at functions dedicated to promoting awareness of the condition.
Paul through his company ‘Paul Wade Life Skills’ spends a lot of time visiting and inspiring students in schools and young people in sporting clubs, within the metro areas of our major capitals as well as rural and remote areas of Australia. Paul has extensive experience working with young people at risk and students from refugee backgrounds. Paul uses the many jerseys that he has collected throughout his career to support his entertaining and motivating life skill stories.
Paul is also a notable Keynote Presenter and works with many medium to large organisations throughout Australia. Paul also conducts team building sessions and practical activities.
Paul is also a regular commentator and contributor on ABC Radio for both A-League and Socceroos. Paul is also currently ratified as an active supporter of Epilepsy Action Australia and is Patron of the Cerebral Palsy International Sporting and Recreation Association (CPISRA).
TESTIMONIALS
“It is without any reservations that I provide this testimonial for Paul Wade. His contribution to a recent AMP conference was first class and his ability to combine his experience as an international footballer and national team captain with a strong learning environment was a big winner with our delegates. I find Paul extremely good to work with and his demeanour and passion certainly show through in his presentation. I am happy to recommend him for any company or group who is looking to encourage their employees or team members to excel at what they do.”
- Steve Helmich - AMP Director – Financial Planning, Advice & Services
“An all round great presentation that motivated our members to take responsibility for their own business and the results they achieve.”
- Chris Slater - State Manager, NSW/ACT Australian Financial Group
“My challenge to Paul was to assist in bringing together over 100 people from five different teams, I plan on exploring other inspirational opportunities to utilise his broad relevant business talents to inspire, motivate and energise my team.”
- Dawn Swainston - Regional Sales Director Australia – Convenience and Food Service, National Foods
“Paul Wade is a truly inspirational and motivational speaker. Using his unique experiences as Socceroo Captain he was able to translate the core values of our organization to the senior executives in a humorous yet poignant way.”
- Phillip Muhlbauer - CEO Link Market Services Limited
“Paul ran a great team-building event with my team. His key messages around teamwork and respect were clear and my team could really appreciate them. I look forward to having him back again soon.”
- George Fallah - Executive Manager, Business Credit –Commonwealth Bank NSW / ACT, QLD
“We were fortunate to have Paul Wade join our sales conference at Toshiba and the feedback from our audience was overwhelmingly positive. Paul’s presentation showed us the man behind the man and the challenges Paul went through to make the success he has of himself, how these correlate to us all in our daily work and life challenges and how to deal with them by facing them head-on. Paul’s wonderful insight was both memorable, humorous and most of all heartfelt. Highlighted by each of the amazing stories relating to the magnificent array of opposing Countries Guernseys he had managed to swap throughout his playing career. It was refreshing to hear someone so passionate, so honest and yet so iconic.”
- Garry Pendleton - Toshiba Australia EID – National Marketing Manager
