I was leaving a meeting in Bathurst Street on Wednesday afternoon when I saw Football Tasmania president Bob Gordon walking down the street accompanied by a tall gentleman in a suit.
They were walking towards me.
Bob greeted me in his usual polite manner and we exchanged pleasantries.
I asked him if he’d attended the Women’s World Cup Final last Sunday.
He said he had, indeed.
I said to him jokingly that I hoped he hadn’t kissed any of the players on the lips. [In case you don’t know, a furore erupted after the World Cup Final when the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips after she was presented with her World Cup winners’ medal.]
There was a chuckle from Bob and his companion at my joke and we continued on our separate ways.
As I proceeded to my car, the thought crossed my mind that it was uncharacteristic of Bob not to have introduced me to the man accompanying him.
The next day, the penny dropped when Football Tasmania announced the appointment of their new CEO, Tony Pignata.
From the photo accompanying the announcement, I recognised him as the man who been with Bob.
Of course he hadn’t introduced him to me as that would have given the game away before the official announcement of the appointment. It would have spilled the beans, so speak.
Anyway, Tony Pignata is he new CEO who will replaced incumbent Matt Bulkeley on 11 September, 2023.
In a media release, Football Tasmania states he is an experienced Australian football administrator with an extensive background in the football industry and that he has made significant contributions across various aspects of the sport.
“His previous roles have been instrumental in driving the growth and success of A-League clubs, including Perth Glory, Sydney FC, and Wellington Phoenix”, the media release states.
“He has also served as the CEO of Football Victoria, further showcasing his expertise in football administration.
“He is currently Deputy Chair of the Australian Government’s Sports Council, advising the Australian Government on its strategy Sports Diplomacy 2030.
“Mr. Pignata's extensive wealth of experience and diverse involvement in the football landscape make him a valuable addition to Football Tasmania, poised to lead the organisation to new heights of success.
“Football Tasmania Chairman Bob Gordon expressed his delight in welcoming Mr. Pignata to the organisation, emphasizing the critical timing of his appointment.”
Mr Gordon is then quoted as saying: “With the national attention on football, there is a need to develop the necessary infrastructure to elevate the sport in Tasmania, from grassroots facilities to the establishment of A-League men's and women's teams in the future.”
Mr. Pignata is reported as saying that he was “excited about the opportunity to lead Football Tasmania and contribute to its ongoing success.
“I eagerly look forward to immersing myself in the State’s football community, forging connections and utilising my expertise to drive the game to the next level.”
So, there you have it.
No comments:
Post a Comment