Aquis Gold Coast Titans Chief Executive Officer Graham Annesley today announced the appointment of Tony Mestrov to the role of Chief Operating Officer, replacing Brian Canavan who will take up his new role as NRL Head of Football in early July.
Mr Annesley believes Tony has an impeccable pedigree to qualify him for this crucial role as the Titans continue to make great progress both on and off the field.
With an impressive corporate career in the private sector and sports administration, combined with having played more than 150 first grade games in the NRL and UK Super League during a 10-year career in the 1990s, Tony has the ideal background to continue the great work already commenced by Brian Canavan as Chief Operating Officer.
“Tony’s breadth of knowledge and experience as a player, a business executive and a sports administrator make him a great acquisition and a valuable asset for the Titans,” Mr Annesley said.
“After an impressive playing career for South Sydney, Manly, London Broncos and Wigan, Tony went on to build a successful business career as an account manager in the radio industry, a sponsorship manager for an NRL club, commercial director for a sports management business and national sales manager for a property company.
“But even more impressively, for the last four years Tony has been the CEO of Hockey NSW, an Olympic sport where he has overseen a restructure of the organisation and the implementation of a five-year strategic plan, resulting in significant revenue growth and profitability. He has also introduced major governance reform, streamlined development pathways and grown participation.”
Although sad to be leaving Hockey, Tony is very excited about returning to rugby league and utilising his skills and experience to assist the resurgence of the Titans both on and off the field.
“Rugby league is my first love, and my discussions with the Titans over recent weeks have left me in no doubt this is a club with great people and unlimited potential,” Tony Mestrov said.
“I’ve enjoyed my time away from the game whilst I’ve continued to hone my business and sports administration skills, but it has always been my ambition to return to the NRL and continue to contribute to the game that has given me so much.
“I can’t wait to take up my new role and build on the great work already underway by the Titans’ board, management and football department in guiding the club to continuous improvement and sustainable success.”
Mr Mestrov has submitted his resignation from Hockey NSW and will take up his role with the Titans as soon as he completes his notice period.
