Dr Hugh Seward was acknowledged for his contribution to Geelong Football Club at Tuesday night’s AGM, after stepping down from the Club’s Board after 12 years of service. 

Dr Seward has served on the Board of the Geelong Football Club as a Director since 2010, although his commitment and passion for the Club can be traced back to 1982 when he joined as Club doctor, a position he subsequently held for 25 years, up until 2006. 

Dr Seward has been a Member of the History and Tradition and Corporate Governance Committees and has played a key role in advising the Board on player medical matters. For the past two years he has served as chair of the History and Tradition Committee. 

Dr Seward was made a Life Member of the Cats in 2002.  

His passion and dedication to the game is also reflected in his long-time role as President, then CEO of the AFL Doctors Association, following which he was accordingly rewarded with an AFL Life Membership for his commitment and contribution.  In the 2017 Queen’s Birthday honours, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) award for services to the management and prevention of injuries in Football.

Dr Seward is a lifelong Geelong supporter. Along with his wife Claire, their four children and two grandchildren, they all share a deep passion for the Club. This passion in the family ultimately dates back to 1886, when his great grandfather played in Geelong’s 1886 Championship Team. 

Dr Seward will not be lost to the Club, he will continue to provide support in an advisory capacity by chairing the Clinical Advisory Committee for the Club’s allied health business.

Geelong President Craig Drummond said the Club was enormously thankful for Dr Seward’s significant contribution to the Club over the past four decades. 

“Our Club inspires passion among us all, but few of us have dedicated the time, care and Kardinia spirit that Hugh has over his entire working life,” Drummond said.

“His contribution to our game more broadly, his deep interest in player welfare, and in particular all clinical matters relating to concussion, is to be admired and commended.

“Hugh has been a good friend and great servant of our Club. On behalf of our members and our broader team, we would like to thank Hugh and his family for their incredible contribution to our great club. 

“We wish both Hugh and Claire all the very best for the future.”