GRAHAM Annesley says hes quitting state politics to return to his first love - rugby league.

"The game of rugby league has been in my blood since I was a kid," Annesley told The Daily Telegraph.

"I am going back to the sport I know and love."

Annesley, the former NRL chief operating officer, was yesterday appointed new CEO of Gold Coast Titans.

The former leading referee yesterday resigned as NSW Sports and Reacreation Minister to head to Robina.

Annesley, 56, beat a number of rivals for the plum post.

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"Gold Coast is a young club and I think with a good governance structure it has enormous potential," Annesley said.

"The club has a fantastic venue, very committed staff in a growing city in a rugby league state.

"It has all the right ingredients to have success and I hope I can help them achieve that.

"In my former role at the NRL, I worked closely with the Titans bid team prior to the club’s admission to the NRL in 2007.

"I have always believed the Titans have an incredibly bright and exciting future. The club has the potential to consistently rank among the leading and most recognisable brands in the country — sporting or commercial.

"With the potential to build on the sound foundations that have been established over the past seven years, I have no doubt the best is yet to come and I’m excited about what lies ahead."

Annesley will start work on the Gold Coast in mid-September.

"Everyone in Australian sport knows Graham is a gun operator," said FFA CEO and former NRL chief executive David Gallop.

"His experience will be invaluable to the Titans and the NRL. He has been great to Football during his time as NSW Sports Minister and we wish him well."

In his farewell speech to Parliament, Annesley said: “Sport, and rugby league in particular, has been in my life and in my blood since I was a kid.

"As an adult I had 15 years on the field at the top level and a further 15 years as a full-time administrator, including close to a decade as NRL chief operating officer.

"And while the Titans approach was unexpected, it did force me to contemplate whether my future should be to remain in politics, or, to return to my lifelong association with rugby league."

Titans chairman Darryl Kelly said Annesley’s experience as a sports administrator, particularly in rugby league, would be invaluable.

"Graham has an outstanding reputation within the game and it’s extremely significant that an individual with such a reputation for professionalism and integrity has elected to join the club as our new CEO," said Kelly.

"We considered a number of strong candidates for the position and we are fortunate to have someone of Graham’s calibre joining the club.

"We have gone through an extensive process of due diligence in making this appointment and we believe Graham is the best person to help take this club into the future."

Annesley has had more than 30 years in rugby league, starting as a first grade referee in 1982. He also controlled State of Origin games and Test matches.

He refereed more than 250 matches at NRL level.

For better or worse, Annesley introduced the video referee system into the NRL.