Paul Briggs was brought up on Cummeragunja Aboriginal Reserve. Like his father before him, Briggs liked to play football. Briggs attended Nathalia High School until year twelve when he left halfway through the year. He was drifting around with the boys from the reserve when Pastor Doug Nicholls asked him to come to Melbourne. He worked at various jobs and was a contract player for many football clubs. Because of the lack of inclusion of and racism against Aboriginal sports people, Briggs became an advocate for their rights. He has served as the Sectretary of the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club and has fought to get the club into the local football leagues.
