David Gallop honoured for service to sport

As bumpy as sport can be for an administrator, David Gallop has always been hooked on the unpredictability of a contest.

It's been a driving factor for the Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive since his youthful days playing cricket, and throughout his decade as NRL boss and ongoing Australian Sports Commission involvement.

It also provides a window to the man whose achievements have been recognised through his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

"The essence of good sport is nobody knows the end of the movie, and the best sports and competitions provide that unpredictability," Gallop told AAP.

With Gallop's passion has come a learned understanding of how much a game of football - the oval or round-ball variety - can mean to a community.

"So if you're involved in the business side of it, you need to be making good calls that maintain people's confidence in the sport," he said.

Between 2002 and 2012, Gallop led the NRL through gritty rebuild and growth, which included expansion to 16 teams and culminated in the establishment of the independent commission.

During that period he was recognised as both Australian and NSW sports administrator of the year.

But he is equally proud of off-field accomplishments, notably education and welfare.

"We did groundbreaking work around respect for women," said Gallop, who is also a White Ribbon Australia ambassador.

"That's definitely been rewarding, to see that become a benchmark in sport."

As with rugby league, soccer poses challenges.

Gallop's mandate is to convert the game's massive participation rates into an A-League supporter base to rival the likes of NRL and AFL.

The target is ambitious, but he takes confidence from what's already been done in nearly four seasons, naming the Socceroos' historic 2015 Asian Cup triumph and creation of the long-mooted FFA Cup as rewarding moments.

"Having a job where you're involved in something you feel passionate about always make it easier."