From Paralympian to Head Coach: Brad Dubberley says goodbye to the Steelers after impressive three decades
Wheelchair Rugby Australia confirms that Australian Steelers Head Coach Brad Dubberley will move on from his role, concluding an extraordinary chapter of service to the sport that has spanned over three decades and 494 matches for Australia as both an athlete and coach.
Brad’s journey with the Steelers began as an athlete, being among the squad that represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, before transitioning into coaching and going on to play a central role in shaping the most successful era in the program’s history. Across decades of domestic and international competition, Brad has been instrumental in developing the Steelers’ high-performance culture and maintaining Australia’s standing as a global wheelchair rugby powerhouse.
During his time as Head Coach, the Steelers achieved sustained success on the world stage, including multiple Paralympic gold medals as well as strong performances across World Championships and major international tournaments. Brad’s technical expertise and deep understanding of the game has helped guide generations of players through the highest levels of competition.
After almost two decades in the role, Brad has made the decision to step away from the Head Coach role and move on to a new challenge. His departure also provides the program with the opportunity to appoint a new Head Coach with the time and runway required to develop and lead the team through the next cycle: building toward the upcoming World Championships, LA 2028, and as the Steelers look further ahead to Brisbane 2032.
Brad said the decision was both personal and purposeful:
“Being part of the Steelers, first as an athlete and then as a coach, has been one of the great privileges of my life. Representing Australia at Sydney 2000 and then helping guide the team through so many campaigns and Paralympic cycles is something I’ll always be proud of. After decades as the Head Coach, it feels like the right time to move on to a new challenge, allow the program the space to bring in new leadership that can take the team forward through the next era.”
Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay paid tribute to Brad’s lasting impact on the sport:
“Brad’s contribution to the Steelers and to Australian wheelchair rugby is immense. From his beginnings as a Paralympian to his leadership through multiple medal-winning campaigns as a coach, Brad has helped define our program and has been a key pillar in the success of the Steelers over many years. We are incredibly grateful for his service and proud of the legacy he leaves as the team now looks toward the future.”
Brad’s impact on the Australian Steelers extends far beyond results. His legacy lives on through the athletes he has mentored, the standards he established and the foundations he helped build for the next generation of success.
An announcement will be made on the next Australian Steelers Head Coach in the coming days.