Paul Manera
15 February 1967
Broken Hill born, Paul Manera, is recognised for his role as an American Football player, coach and administrator. From a young age, Paul was a keen sportsman, playing rugby union until he developed an interest in American Football. His American Football campaign started in 1984, when he began playing and soon set himself a goal of playing college football in America. His dream came to fruition in 1989 when he was the first Australian local gridiron player to receive a scholarship to play for the University of Hawaii after having played for Itawamba Community College for two years. After five years, Paul returned to Australia and continued in the sport as a player/coach. During this time, Paul represented New South Wales and was nominated for the inaugural All Australian Gridiron Team, despite there being no established international competition. Paul then took his American Football career back overseas, coaching professionally in Japan and, in the same year, coaching the inaugural competitive Australian National Gridiron Team. Some of Paul’s most notable successes include winning three National Championships as the head coach of the New South Wales Wolfpack State Team and taking charge of the Australian Men’s National Team, as head coach. Paul was also selected to coach in the Hula Bowl in Hawaii which is an NCAA All star college Football Game which is played in front of NFL and CFL Scouts.
Today, Paul, together with his wife Elissa, operates his own company, Bring it on Sports. Bring it on Sports is a sports marketing and recreation company that specialises in sports programs for kids, American scholarships services and sports related travel. It is through his company that Paul has been able to have a significant impact, assisting others to follow in his footsteps through mentoring and guidance. Notably, three of the players in which Paul has mentored have gone on to play at peak level of the sport, the National Football League. Outside of coaching gridiron, Paul enjoys travelling, fine dining and is partial to nice glass of wine.
Paul is inducted into the Far West Sporting Hall of Fame as both an Athlete and General member, recognising his achievements as both a competitor and administrator.
AWARDS & MILESTONES
- Gridiron NSW Men’s Division 1 Coach of the Year 2022
- Paul’s company, Bring it On Sports, won the bid for Gridiron Australia to host the 2019 International Federation for American Football (IFAF) World Championships.
- Jersey retired from the University of New South Wales Raiders 2015.
- Technical Committee for the International Federation for American Football (2006/2012).
- President of the Australian Gridiron Coaches Association, which Paul established (1994/2007).
- Inducted into the Gridiron NSW Hall of Fame (2003).
- Nominated in the Inaugural All Australian National Gridiron Team (1996).
- Academic All-Conference Gridiron Player for the Western Athletic Conference in America (1991).
- Awarded a full scholarship to play Gridiron at the University of Hawaii (1989).
- Awarded a scholarship at Itawamba Community College (1988)
SPORTING HISTORY
2022
- Offensive Coordinator at Northern Rebels Gridiron Club
2021
- Coach at the Northern Sydney Rebels Gridiron Club. (season cancelled due to Covid-19)
- Re-appointed as the Director of Football Operations and Offensive Line Coach for the Hula Bowl (unable to travel due to COVID-19).
2020
- Coach at the Northern Sydney Rebels Gridiron Club.
- Appointed Head Coach of the New South Wales Wolfpack (campaign ended due to COVID-19)
2019
- Appointed as the Director of Football Operations and Offensive Line Coach for the 2020 Hula Bowl.
2012
- Offensive Line Coach of the World Under 19’s Team.
- Established the Southern Cross All-Stars.
2011
- Offensive Coordinator of the IFAF World Under 19 World Championship team.
2008 – 2017
- Head Coach of the University of New South Wales Raiders.
2007
- Head Coach of the Australian Men’s National Team.
2006
- Head Coach of the NSW Wolfpack State Team.
- Won the Gridiron Australian National Championships.
2005
- Head Coach of the NSW Wolfpack State Team.
- Won the Gridiron Australian National Championships.
- Head Coach of the Australian Men’s National Team.
2003
- Head Coach of the University of Technology Sydney Gridiron Team.
- Head Coach of the New South Wales Wolfpack State Team.
- Won the Gridiron Australian National Championships.
- Started a coaching accreditation program for Gridiron coaches in Australia.
2002
- Head Coach of the University of Technology Sydney Gridiron Team.
2001
- Head Coach of the University of Technology Sydney Gridiron Team.
- Head Coach of the Australian Men’s National Team.
2000 – 2006
- Head Coach of New South Wales Wolfpack State Team.
1999
- Offensive Line Coach of the Recruit Seagulls (Obic Seagulls), in Japan.
- Offensive Line Coach of the Inaugural Australian Cyclones Gridiron Team.
1992 – 1998
- Player Coach for the Bondi Raiders Gridiron.
1992
- Student Assistant Coach at the University of Hawaii.
1989 – 1991
- Played for the University of Hawaii.
1987 – 1988
- Played for Itawamba Community College in Fulton Mississippi.
*Paul is currently coaching, information correct as of March 2023.
