Paul was appointed Senior Coach of OBGFC in November 2009.
Paul's qualifications include Bachelor of Arts Youth Affairs (Major Psychology), Level 3 & 4 Personal Training Qualification, and Level 2 Coaching Accreditation.
Work Career
Youth Work - the past 10 years worked with young people from varied socio-economic and challenging backgrounds. Includes work in Residential Care, Detention Centre's, Work Place Training and Educational Programs. Personal Training - coordinates early morning personal fitness training for private clients. Teaching - currently employed at Cambridge International College teaching Welfare Studies to international students.
Playing Career
1988 - North Melbourne U/19 Premiership Captain under Dennis Pagan 1989 - North Melbourne Reserves Player under Laurie Dwyer and John Kennedy 1990 & 91 - Dandenong VFA Premiership Player under Tony Elshaug and Brad Gotch 1992 - 94 - Senior and Reserve Player for Carlton under David Parkin & Rod Ashman 1995 - 99 - Senior Premiership player at Norwood SANFL under Neil Craig & Peter Rhode Coaching Career
2003 - 05 - Assistant Coach of Sandringham Dragons 2006 - 09 - Senior Coach of EFL Division 1 Club East Ringwood. During his 4 years as Senior Coach they played off in 3 Finals Series including 2 Preliminary Finals.
Simon Williams – Assistant Coach
Simon is one of Old Brighton's most respected figures.
He played 221 games for OBGFC, Captaining the Club for 6 years from 1999 to 2004 making him the longest ever serving Captain. He was a member of the 1997 Senior B Grade Premiership Team, is a Life Member and was selected in the OBGFC Team of the 50 year.
Supporters remember Simon as a fearless leader, a tough disciplined defender who could shut down any opponent and also hurt them on the rebound with his pace, cool decision making and precise foot skills.
Current players know him as a great bloke who as a leader always looked out for the younger guys and helped them develop into better players.
Ben McGee - Assistant Coach
Ben McGree was appointed as an Assistant Coach at Old Brighton in January 2010.
Ben had a successful playing career winning senior premierships at both Noble Park FC and Warragul Industrials.
He's also experienced success in coaching, coaching Bunyip FC to the 2000 to the 2000 VCFL Premiership and St Johns Old Collegians to a premiership in 2005. He went on to coach the seniors Old Mentone Grammarians from 2007 - 2008.
Ben currently is the Director of Hallam AFL Academy in partnership with Dandenong Stingrays.
Ross Stewart - Reserves Coach
Adam Pirrie - Under 19 Coach
As a player Adam Pirrie was miraculous. A fast medium sized forward who was extremely dangerous both on the ground and in the air.
Adam slotted countless goals from boundary, entertained the crowd with his spectacular marking, and won many games for Old Brighton in both A & B Grades off his own boot. Adam was one of those rare sportsmen who become more miraculous and dangerous when the stakes were high. He seemed to always slot the important ones when we really needed them.
He won old Brighton's goal kicking from 2004 to 2008 and was named Full Forward in the VAFA's A Grade Team of the Year.
His experience working with kids as a PE Teacher and Football Coach at BGS makes him the perfect candicate to coach our Under 19's. Hopefully there's a future Adam Pirrie amongst the bunch.
Marcus Barber – 3RD XVIII Coach
Marcus was the Club's Senior Best and fairest winner in 1990 and is the ideal man for this task.
He has been an outstanding player and has given tremendous service to Old Brighton. He cherishes the desire to become the first Old Brighton player to pull on the jumper over an incredible four decades. His senior career began in 1988 when he quickly established his reputation as a centre-man during Mark Sarau’s successful consolidation of the Club in B Grade. He played over 100 senior games before easing back to steer the Reserves to premierships in the later 90’s, then has kept his eye in, helping out the Clubbies in recent years, taking his games tally well past 150.
Marcus was probably the first of the ‘outsiders’ to make his mark on our footy club. He attacked the ball hard, was a ferocious tackler, and seemed to glide over the ground as he skilfully amassed possessions. Barbs has always had the time and poise to use the ball wisely, and he rarely misses targets. His cool temperament and insight into the game will be valuable assets as he takes on this new challenge. In a game where success is measured by the depth of a club’s list, Marcus will play a key role in ensuring that the players under his leadership will be properly prepared to succeed at all levels this year.
