Geelong AFLW coach Paul Hood has made the decision to step down from his senior coaching role.

Hood began his work within the women’s program in 2017 when the club first launched a VFLW team. He was then named senior coach of the club’s inaugural AFLW team, a role he has held across three seasons (2019-2021).

At the helm for a total of 23 games, Hood led his side to a berth in the 2019 preliminary final.

Hood first arrived at Geelong at the end of 2010 and has held multiple roles including VFL men’s coach, player development manager, NGA manager, VFLW coach and most recently AFLW coach.

In 2021, Hood returned to secondary school teaching on a full-time basis whilst he continued his AFLW coaching role with the club.

“Paul has been outstanding, and we thank him for over 10 years of service to the Geelong Football Club,” Geelong Chief Executive Brian Cook said.

“Paul has been a key leader of our women’s football program from its inception, he brought the program to life.

“In his many roles at the club over the past decade, Paul’s unwavering commitment to the development of our players is to be commended. 

“His work with our AFLW players in recent years saw him go over and above to see them improve and succeed. 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.”

“We respect Paul’s decision to step away from his role and wish him the very best both personally and professionally.”

Hood departs after over a decade at the Geelong Football Club.

“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’d like to thank Steve Hocking, Neil Balme and Chris Scott for giving me my initial opportunity and then of course the assistant coaches I was lucky enough to work alongside, champions of the game but more importantly champion people for their mentorship and support for over a decade. 

“In particular I’d like to thank Dale Amos and Matthew Knights, the two head coaches I was blessed to work under at VFL level for their brilliant tutelage. 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, to be a part of building something that can inspire the young women of Geelong for generations. 

“I’d like to thank Simone Bellears, Ben Waller, Brett Johnson, Simon Lloyd, Natalie Wood, Monica Kelly, George Seward along with all of our assistant and development coaches for their tremendous support of our players. 

“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 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 in my time as coach. 

“I wish all the players in our program every success on and off the field as I look forward to playing my role supporting the VFLW program for the rest of this season and then resume my former place in football as a mad Cats fan.”

The club will begin a recruitment process to replace Hood in the coming weeks.