Learning curve on radar for new CEO

FOOTBALL Federation Tasmania’s new chief executive says his first job will be to spend time consulting with a range of stakeholders on the issues and opportunities for the sport in the state.

Matt Bulkeley, who spent eight years working at Football Federation Australia as both the head of game development and national participation manager, was yesterday announced as Mike Palmer’s long-term replacement.

His appointment comes five months after Palmer announced he was stepping down from the role. As well as working with FFA, Bulkeley has spent time in leadership roles at Cricket Australia and Australian Sailing, and joins FFT after a three-year stint with Life Education NSW.

“I’ve had a lifelong association with football, and obviously professionally through FFA, so it’s great to be given the opportunity to lead FFT and work very closely with the Tasmanian football community,” Bulkeley told the Mercury.

He said he would start in his new role as a blank canvas.

“The first thing I want to do is get my feet under the table and spend a good amount of time obviously with the board and with the staff, but especially with the football stakeholders,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want to come in thinking I know all the issues and all of the opportunities. I want to explore those, have plenty of conversations, and do plenty of listening.

“But some of the priorities of the board are very clear around the continuing growth of the game and continuing to improve the quality and quantity of facilities [and] strengthening competitions.”

FFT president Bob Gordon said Bulkeley was one of more than 20 applicants for the role, and was appointed after three rounds of interviews.

Gordon believes Bulkeley’s experience in senior roles with FFA will stand him in good stead. “Matt’s breadth of experience in a couple of different roles [set him apart], and also when he presented for an interview he had a real passion for growing the game and particularly at the grassroots level,” he said.

Bulkeley will officially take up the role on August 27.