By Luke Voogt
Geelong AFLW coach Paul Hood has quit the role after a decade in total with the Cats.
Hood joined Geelong in late 2010 and held multiple roles at the club, including VFL and VFLW coach, before taking the helm of Geelong’s AFLW side for three seasons.
He led the Cats to the preliminary final in their first year in the AFLW (2019), but the side had a disappointing 2021, winning just one game of nine.
Hood returned to secondary school teaching full-time this year while coaching the ALFW side.
Geelong Cats chief executive Brian Cook thanked Hood for his decade of service and “unwavering commitment to the development of our players”.
“Paul has been a key leader of our women’s football program from its inception; he brought the program to life,” he said.
“Paul had a genuine care for his players, and the work he has done within our women’s football program is a testament to him as a person.”
Hood thanked Steve Hocking, Neil Balme and Chris Scott for giving him his initial opportunity at the Cats, along with coaches Dale Amost and Matthew Knights for their “brilliant tutelage”.
“I was extremely humbled to be given an opportunity to work at the greatest club in late 2010 and can’t be more grateful for my time at the Cats,” Hood said.
“I have been so fortunate to work alongside many brilliant people in the Geelong Cats football department who tirelessly support all of our players.
“In the last five years it’s been a joy to work alongside our staff in the women’s program and to be a part of building something that can inspire the young women of Geelong for generations.
“To all the players I’ve had the privilege to coach, thank you so much for putting your hearts and bodies on the line, and a special mention to the three inspirational captains who served as leaders to those groups, Bec Goring, Melissa Hickey and Meghan McDonald, who were such great role models for their teammates.”
The club will begin a recruitment process to replace Hood in coming weeks.
