The Gold Coast Titans are delighted to announce the appointment of respected sporting administrator, Steve Mitchell, as the club's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mitchell is the current CEO of Touch Football Australia where he spearheaded the highly successful inaugural NRL Touch Premiership competition this year. He will join the Titans in February, working closely with Touch Football and the NRL, to ensure that a strong succession plan is in place before heading up the Gold Coast club.
Mitchell, 49, has held a number of executive roles, working with the Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby), North Queensland Cowboys, Southern Cross Austereo, Seven Network, News Corporation and Network Ten.
The Brisbane-born executive comes to the club with Gold Coast rugby league family ties dating back to the 1920s, with his grandfather and grand uncles playing for Currumbin, competing in the then South Coast Brisbane League. (Mitchell's son Anthony also played for three NRL clubs – Parramatta, the Sydney Roosters and the North Queensland Cowboys.)
The appointment of Mitchell as CEO completes what has been a strong period for the Titans, with a number of major sponsors committing to the club long-term, new players in Shannon Boyd, Tyrone Peachey and Brian Kelly and also the addition of Kangaroos' coach Mal Meninga as Head of Performance and Culture.
Mitchell is excited to be joining the Titans, a club on the rise.
"I am extremely humbled to be appointed to the role. Club owners the Frizelle and Kelly families; former CEO Graham Annesley and the board have worked tremendously hard to build the foundations of what promises to be a very exciting future," Mitchell said.
"I am looking forward to working with the owners and the board, Mal Meninga, coach Garth Brennan, players and staff to help create an enduring sporting legacy for the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales communities."
Executive Chairman, Dennis Watt, said on behalf of the board and the Frizelle and Kelly families, he was delighted Mitchell was joining the club.
He said there had been a strong field of highly qualified national and international candidates, from both within the game and from the broader business community.
"It has been heartening to see the response from quality people who want to be part of the club, Watt said. "They all expressed confidence in the club's future. We are very grateful to them all.
"The club is in a strong position and Steve's expertise and drive will strengthen us even further.
"Steve has a very strong commercial background and he also has a strong sporting and rugby league DNA, with a deep understanding of the key drivers for enduring success, including close community engagement.
Watt said he also wished to thank former CEO Graham Annesley who has rejoined the NRL as Head of its elite football programmes.
"In his five years here, Graham helped negotiate this club through some tough times so that it now stands on rock-solid foundations.
"With a band of dedicated staff, players and coaches behind us, we are all very much looking forward to working with Steve to ensure that we build on these foundations and become an NRL powerhouse to reward our loyal sponsors, members, fans and supporters."
Watt will continue as acting CEO until Mitchell begins the role.
Touch Football Australia Chair, Anita Hagarty said:
"By any measure Stephen has done an amazing job driving our sport forward with his passion, commitment and energy. We look forward to his on-going involvement in an advisory capacity, helping drive the continued progression of the NRL/TFA Alliance and the NRL Touch Premiership over the coming years."
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg applauded the advances Mitchell had made in strengthening the NRL and the TFA alliance over the past 14 months. He said he looked forward to continuing to work with Mitchell as the new Titans' CEO and as advisor to the TFA board.
