Professor Paul Potrac

Professor

Department: Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Paul completed his honours degree in Sport Studies and History at Brunel University and obtained his PhD from the same institution in 2001. After holding academic positions at the University of Otago, Brunel University, Edge Hill University, and the University of Hull, he joined the Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria University in December 2016. Alongside his academic work, Paul was a football coach for 18 years. He coached male and female teams at various levels in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and New Zealand.

Campus Address

Northumberland Building
City Campus
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Email Paul

Key Publications

Combining crystallisation and creative non-fiction to develop new insights on the politically astute use of humour in sports coaching, Edwards, C., Potrac, P. 4 Mar 2025, In: Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
Interpretivism: Exploring meaning making, intentional action, and group life in coaching research, Potrac, P., Jones, R., Hall, E., Ives, B., Morgan, C., Nelson, L. 23 Jan 2025, Research Methods in Sports Coaching, Abingdon, Routledge
Introduction, Nelson, L., Groom, R., Potrac, P. 23 Jan 2025, Research Methods in Sports Coaching, Abingdon, Routledge
Research Methods in Sports Coaching, Nelson, L., Groom, R., Potrac, P. 23 Jan 2025
Understandings of success for groups managing leisure facilities through Community Asset Transfers, Haw, S., Potrac, P., Wharton, K., Findlay-King, L. 1 Mar 2025, In: Voluntary Sector Review
Introducing Coach Learners to Behaviourist Coaching Principles: Critical Reflections on Coach Educator Practice, Ives, B., Nelson, L., Gale, L., Potrac, P., Toner, J. 24 May 2024, The Routledge Handbook of Coach Development in Sport, Taylor & Francis
Maintaining professional face: deceptive impression management in community sport coaching, Nelson, L., Shulman, D., Potrac, P., Gale, L., Ives, B. 20 May 2024, In: Sport, Education and Society
Making the Invisible, Visible: An Exploration of Track-and-Field Coaches’ Perspectives of Their Planning Processes, Johns, K., Potrac, P., Hayes, P. 1 Nov 2024, In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Understanding workplace collaboration in professional rugby coaching: A dramaturgical analysis, Hall, E., Nichol, A., Morgan, C., McCutcheon, M., Potrac, P. 3 Jul 2024, In: Qualitiative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
“What am I doing here?” Experiences of unsuccessful and delayed successful crisis transitions during athlete migration, Cartigny, E., Harrison, G., Vickers, E., Potrac, P. 2 Sep 2024, In: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

PGR Supervision

Laura Hill The development and application of Gaelic Athletics Association coaches’ political astuteness skills: A dramaturgical-interactionist analysis. Start Date: 01/10/2024
Philip Harvey A study to examine the differing effects of linear (LP) and nonlinear pedagogies (NLP) on the level of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) displayed within KS2 PE lessons and their influence on the development of Self-Regulatory Behaviours. Start Date: 30/01/2018