Football Federation Victoria (FFV) announced it has appointed Mitchell Murphy as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Murphy who has a Master of Business Administration was appointed after an extensive recruitment process by the FFV Board and recruitment firm Derwent Executive.

Mr Murphy has more than 15 years’ experience in senior media management roles in Australia and New Zealand and during that time has worked closely with elite sport including football.

He has covered three Olympic Games (Sydney, Athens and Beijing) as a writer and editor.

A former Editor-in-Chief of Fairfax Community Newspapers in Victoria, Mr Murphy spent four years in New Zealand as General Manager (Auckland) of Fairfax Media before taking up his current role as Executive Director (Publishing) of The Newspaper Works, the peak media industry body for the Asia Pacific Region.

“I have been passionate about football for a long time and as the father of a son who has played junior football for the past five years, I understand the issues for parents and grassroots participants,” said Murphy, who is the uncle of Matildas star Katrina Gorry.

“I am excited to be joining FFV at a time when football is on the rise, with a record A-League season on all fronts. With the leadership David Gallop and the FFA are providing and the anticipation of the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, I believe we can further grow the game in Victoria.

“I am also particularly excited to be involved in the National Premier Leagues Victoria launch.

“While all businesses face hurdles, and FFV is not without challenge, I will be particularly focused on ensuring our financial performance is strong to enhance our services to clubs and players and to keep the costs of participation in check.

“My approach will be collaborative with our members and stakeholders. Football has grown 56 per cent in the past 10 years in Victoria and to ensure that continues I will listen to the views of everyone involved with the game.”

FFV President Nick Monteleone said that he was delighted with the appointment.

“On behalf of the Board and the football family we welcome Mitchell and look forward to a new and exciting chapter for football in Victoria,” said Mr Monteleone.

Mr Murphy will take up his position at FFV on 1 July.