Southern Football Netball League CEO Mike Palmer steps down

SOUTHERN Football Netball League CEO Mike Palmer steps down after six months in the job.

THE Southern Football Netball League has been rocked by the resignation of chief executive officer Mike Palmer after six months in the job.

Palmer joined Southern in March on a three-year contract in what the league regarded as a coup.

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Palmer had an extensive and impressive background in sports administration, with “senior executive’’ involvement in the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2002 Commonwealth Games, 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2015 AFC Asian Cup, UEFA Champions League, UCI World Road Cycling Championships, Asian Baseball Championships and the ISAF World Sailing Championships. Before joining the Southern league he had been CEO of Football Federation Tasmania since 2014.

But Palmer confirmed yesterday he had stepped down and would be finishing up on October 31.

Mike Palmer was CEO of Football Federation Tasmania before joining Southern.

He had addressed the board last Tuesday outlining his decision to not see out his term.

The Southern league had a tumultuous year, with East Malvern losing premiership points over a breach of the points cap, a handful of games being abandoned due to on-field violence, a young umpire being assaulted by an Under 19s player, Lyndale forfeiting its last two matches in response to poor player behaviour and Highett president Lex Marshall barred from finals after a verbal clash with Murrumbeena star Luke James.

Palmer instigated a review of the player-points system after a backlash from clubs.

He said clubs were “constantly ‘dobbing’ on each other … I am assured that this has never been part of the SFNL culture and it is completely contrary to the spirit that I encountered at the club workshop on my first day as CEO’’.

A league statement yesterday afternoon quoted Palmer as saying he had “outstanding support’’ from the board and staff.

“However after finishing the season I have decided not to continue. It is important that the league has a person in place with the ability to provide a long-term commitment to the league and on reflection, I am not in a position to do this completely,’’ Palmer said.

“I would particularly like to thank all club presidents and key stakeholders for their support and I wish them all the very best for future seasons. As a collective, they are best placed to face the challenges ahead to build a strong and enduring league into the future.’’

Southern chairman Marc Gauci said the league was excited by Palmer’s appointment “however we understand that season 2018 presented him with a number of challenges leading to his decision to retire from full-time duties”.

“We wish Mike all the best and thank him for his efforts,’’ he said.

“It is now time to look forward and we have a number of positive opportunities to take advantage of including our impending move to RSEA Park at Linton Street and also the continued growth of our football and netball competitions. SFNL is in good shape to continue building sustainability and growth for the long term.”