Professor Paul Potrac

Professor

School: 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

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
“I Have to Work So Hard to Make Sure I'm Likeable While Getting the Job Done”: Examining the Politically Astute Negotiation of a Gendered Career by High-Profile Female Sport Broadcasters, Smith, A., Potrac, P., McCutcheon, M., Avner, Z., Hill, L., Cristea, L., Hall, E. 5 Feb 2026, In: Gender, Work and Organization
Investigating Policy Enactment in Community Sport Coaching: Directions for Future Research, Ives, B., Penney, D., O’Gorman, J., Nichol, A., Potrac, P., Nelson, L. 2 Jan 2026, In: Sports Coaching Review
Caution! Achievement subjects at work: a Hanian analysis of policy enactment in Gaelic games, Coleman, D., Donnelly, P., Kelly, S., Horgan, P., Potrac, P. 13 Sep 2025, In: Sports Coaching Review
Challenges and Opportunities for Community Sport Coach Development: An appreciative inquiry project, Allen, J., Chapman, R., Nichol, A., Whitehead, A., Johns, K., Carroll, M., Hayton, J., Hall, E., Potrac, P., Ryrie, A., Lascu, A., Cronin, C. 9 Oct 2025
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
Connections, conflict and (re)configuration: a relational analysis of the enactment of EPPP policy in academy football, Thomas, R., Hall, E., Potrac, P. 17 Nov 2025, In: Sports Coaching Review
“He trusts me”: navigating the male weight room: emotions and reflective practice of a young, female strength and conditioning coach, Abitz, C., Gearity, B., Kuklick, C., Potrac, P. 2 Sep 2025, In: Sports Coaching Review
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
Maintaining professional face: deceptive impression management in community sport coaching, Nelson, L., Shulman, D., Potrac, P., Gale, L., Ives, B. 24 Jul 2025, In: Sport, Education and Society

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 End Date: 14/10/2025