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"Wadey" as he is known around the world had a remarkable international career, including the Olympic Games, 2 World Cup campaigns and one of the toughest tasks in world football to "mark Diego Maradona" (probably the best player in the world at that time) in the two legged world cup play off with Argentina. In a career with over 100 appearances for his country Paul Wade also won two National Soccer League championships and was voted NSL player of the year in 1988. 46 of his 84 first class international matches were as captain of the Socceroos. His passion for the game carried on after his retirement to both extensive work in the media as an expert TV presenter and in a variety of junior development roles. Wadey now takes great pride in consulting to the country’s leading soccer development programs where he aims to help kids experience the joy of "playing like a Socceroo legend". Paul is a highly entertaining speaker who can also incorporate some very strong business and motivational messages including:
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Persistence
- How to win when others say you can’t TIPS
"You’re never too old, I didn’t represent anyone ‘til I was 22. Australian ‘B’ v Tasmania (1984)
“Just get the next one” don’t dwell on what’s gone. When Paul Wade played his final international in 1996 for the Socceroos he was Australia’s most capped player in the history of the game, having represented his country in 84 matches (46 as Captain) between 1984 and 1996. Of the thousands of fans who turned out to farewell a soccer legend in that final match, there was one thing none of them knew. That Paul had epilepsy. Paul didn't know it either, even though he had epilepsy since childhood. 'Would I have ended up representing my country in all those matches, if I knew I had epilepsy? I just don't know...everybody responds to epilepsy differently... some people let it change the whole they see themselves and what they can do. 'To deal with epilepsy well, you need good treatment but you also need the right attitude and you can't do it alone ... you need teamwork … |
