MELBOURNE - Super Rugby Pacific has appointed an executive from Australia's struggling top flight soccer league to be the competition's inaugural CEO.

Sydney-based Jack Mesley, currently chief commercial officer at Australian Professional Leagues (APL), will take on the role from July 22, Super Rugby Pacific said in a news release on Wednesday.

The APL runs the men's and women's A-Leagues and has battled financial problems since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The governing body confirmed a re-organisation in January amid reports of mass layoffs.

Prior to the APL, Mesley was chief commercial officer at Sydney-based National Rugby League team Canterbury-Bankstown.

"What set Jack apart from a strong pool of candidates following a thorough search was his passion for rugby, his enthusiasm and a breadth of experience in both marketing and sports," Super Rugby Pacific Chairman Kevin Malloy said in the news release.

The 12-team Super Rugby Pacific features five Australian teams, six in New Zealand and a Fijian side. REUTERS