Paul Feltham

Paul Feltham (born 2 October 1946) is a sport psychologist and former Australian rules footballer and coach. He is best known for a short stint as caretaker coach of the Brisbane Bears in 1989. [cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/16/1089694564407.html|title=Hardie happy to look to his laurels |publisher=theage.com.au|accessdate=2008-01-11|last=|first=]

Playing career

Early in his career, Feltham played for Eastlake Football Club in the ACTAFL and Balmain Football Club in the NSWAFL. However, Feltham's talent was his tough, couragous determination and his quick handball as a winger and midfielder] North Melbourne from (1970-76) , He played in the 1974 V.F.L. Grand Final and was one the best players in North Melbourne Football Club's first Premiership in 1975. He later joined Richmond (1978),but his best football games were played at North Melbourne Football club during the 70's.

Coaching career

Feltham moved to Queensland and coached the University of Southern Queensland's Australian football team and the Morningside Football Club (QAFL) in the 1980s before joining the underperforming Brisbane Bears in a part-time role as sports psychologist for the 1989 season.

When incumbent coach Peter Knights was sacked with seven games remaining in the season, Feltham was surprisingly appointed caretaker coach ahead of any of the existing coaching panel. The Bears immediately rallied to win five of the remaining matches.

Feltham was not considered for the permanent coaching position for the following season, reportedly due to a clash with particular senior players and certain club personnel, most notably football manager Shane O'Sullivan. He was replaced by another caretaker coach, former coaching assistant and ex-Fitzroy player Norm Dare, for the 1990 season while the search for a permanent coach continued for 1991.

For most of the 1990s he disappeared from the spotlight, but reappeared in 1999 as an applicant for the vacant coaching role with Woodville-West Torrens. He applied for the same position again the following season. He also applied for the coaching role with Hawthorn in 2004. He was unsuccessful in each of these applications.

He is currently based in Canada, where he is coach of the London Magpies Australian Football Club, and is also sports psychologist with AFL Canada's national side, the Northwind.

References