The Board of Football Victoria (FV) has appointed Kimon Taliadoros as their new CEO, effective February 22, 2021.
Taliadoros served as interim CEO for the past six months in an honorary capacity. Previously he was President of FV for six years where he led the revitalisation of the state’s governing body and oversaw the implementation of FootbALLways – an ambitious growth strategy that inspires all Victorians to live and love football.
“Over the past six years, it has been my privilege to serve the 365 Victorian Clubs and their communities as FV President,” Taliadoros said.
“I am proud to have led an empowered Board in pursuit of brave reforms for Australian football governance, championing women’s football with the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne, and putting Clubs first in our thinking and actions.
“While football is the leading global sport, Victoria boasts the world’s most competitive sports market, with four out of five of Australia’s leading codes headquartered in Melbourne.
“Despite FV being on track for record growth across key revenue, participation and strategic KPIs at the start of 2020, COVID-19 has devastated the entire Victorian football economy.
Together with our Clubs, our task now is to stabilise the industry and lay plans to resume our growth platform.”
Taliadoros is vastly experienced as a strategic and commercial leader, ranging across sports, media, finance and SME markets, along with his well-documented history in the game as an NSL player spanning 15 years, as well as a Socceroo, PFA co-founder, media analyst, coach and referee.
“Kimon’s appointment has been made with our Clubs and participants top of mind,” Acting FV President Antonella Care said.
“His resilience and unwavering sense of duty, together with his strong leadership qualities and deep knowledge of football at all levels, gives us confidence that through FV we can put Victorian football back on the path to prosperity.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson is confident that Taliadoros’ appointment will bring renewed hope and continuity for the game, looking to rebound from COVID-19.
“We welcome Kimon’s appointment. Victoria has been on an exciting growth trajectory under its FootbALLways strategic agenda and has led the way on many initiatives over the past few years, particularly with its success in unlocking crucial funds from governments at all levels to provide football’s ever-increasing participation base with much needed facilities and infrastructure,” he said.
“The past year was particularly challenging for Victoria as the hardest hit state on the back of COVID-19, and we look forward to the reinvigoration of its growth plans under Kimon’s stewardship.
“A key part of this will be Victoria’s contribution towards Football Australia’s XI Principles, designed to shape the game’s future over the next 15 years.”
With Taliadoros accepting his new role of CEO, he will now formally resign from his position as President. Care will continue with her duties as Acting President, pending the outcome of Football Victoria elections at the next AGM in May 2021.
