Australian Professional Leagues names A-Leagues Chief Operating Officer

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have announced the appointment of experienced sports administrator Nick Garcia as Chief Operating Officer.

Garcia joins the A-Leagues with two decades of sports experience having worked with some of the biggest brands and rights holders in global sport.

His previous role was Chief Executive Officer of Ospreys Rugby in Wales, where he held a dual position as Director and Head of Team Sports for the Osprey’s ownership group Y11 Sport and Media.

Before this, he was Group Chief Executive of Al Jazira Football Club in the United Arab Emirates and also held roles as Director of Partnerships for City Football Group, Head of Partnership Marketing for Manchester City FC in the English Premier League and Managing Director of Chime Sports Marketing (CSM) in the Middle East.

As COO, Chief Operating Officer will oversee the A-Leagues strategic and tactical business operations and its administration and will be the day-to-day custodian of the A-Leagues where he will be responsible for developing and enhancing the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, Liberty A-League Women, A-League Youth and E-League competitions, and for managing league operations and commercial outcomes.

Announcing the appointment, APL Chief Executive, Danny Townsend commented “Nick Garcia is an internationally experienced sports administrator who brings with him operational, commercial and marketing experience from leadership roles in football, rugby and sports marketing.

“At this incredibly exciting time for Australian football, Nick will be tasked with ensuring that the A-Leagues fulfil their incredible potential and that we cement football’s position as Australia’s most watchable and entertaining sport.”

Looking forward to his new role, Garcia added “the APL has a clear vision and strategy for growth, and having followed the league’s progress since the unbundling I have been impressed with how much has been achieved in a short period of time.

“With the Socceroos performance in Qatar and the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, this is a pivotal and exciting time for football in Australia and New Zealand. I’m looking forward to building on the great work that has been done by Greg and his team and playing my part in making the A-Leagues the best possible league for football fans of today and tomorrow.”

Greg O’Rourke to step down as APL Commissioner 
It has also been announced that APL Commissioner Greg O’Rourke will step down from his position at the conclusion of the 2022/23 A-League Men’s Season in June, having advised earlier in the season of his intention to leave the role.

O’Rourke joined what was then Football Federation Australia in 2016 as Head of the A-League, becoming Commissioner of the A-Leagues following the unbundling from Football Australia in December 2020 where he was the sole executive member to transition to APL.

After June, O’Rourke will continue to work with Garcia and the APL executive in an advisory role.

Speaking about his move, O’Rourke explained “my work with the APL and the A-Leagues has been the privilege of my life and I will take with me so many memories and unforgettable experiences. It was important to me that there would be a smooth transition and I am delighted to work closely with Nick Garcia in the coming months to ensure a seamless process.

“I have been involved in football for most of my 60 years, as a player, a coach, an administrator from grassroots to the professional game, and am delighted to stay involved to continue to support the A-Leagues, and in particular the women’s and youth development pathways, projects that I am deeply passionate about.”

Main image: Nick Garcia. Credit: Australian Professional Leagues.