Theo Paap’s journey from Amsterdam to Perth in 1956 marked the beginning of a remarkable career in Australian football. Born in Amsterdam in 1943, Paap quickly immersed himself in the local Dutch football scene, joining the Windmills Football Club (now Morley Windmills). He immediately made an impact, rising through the ranks to become a fixture in the senior team by 1960.
Paap’s leadership qualities and consistent performance earned him the captaincy of Windmills in 1964, a role he would hold for an impressive ten years. He was known for his calm, analytical approach to the game as a defender.
Throughout his sixteen-season tenure at Windmills, Paap earned numerous accolades, including the club’s ‘Fairest and Best’ award eight times. He also made significant contributions to Western Australian football, winning the Carbonell Cup for the ‘Fairest and Best’ player in WA an unprecedented four times (1964, 1967, 1968, and 1970). Paap was part of seven major title-winning teams, including two First Division championships, two Night Series, one Top Four Cup, and two D’Orsogna Cups. He also proudly represented the state eighteen times, including two tours to the Merdeka tournament in Malaysia (1967 and 1969).
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Western Australian football, Theo Paap was rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. His legacy continues through his son Shane, who followed in his footsteps with a successful career in senior Australian Rules football in the WAFL. Shane Paap has also remained involved in the sport as a coach, further cementing the Paap family’s impact on the game in Western Australia
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