AFL soccer operations boss Steve Hocking will leave the governing physique to take over as chief govt of Geelong on the finish of the season.
Hocking joined the AFL from the Cats in 2017 and has helped oversee the AFL and AFLW competitions, the legal guidelines of the sport, the match evaluate panel and tribunal techniques, umpiring on the elite degree, key expertise pathways, and elite teaching growth packages.
He will leave his submit on the AFL this Thursday, earlier than taking up as Geelong chief govt on the finish of the season.
The AFL’s common supervisor of recreation growth Andrew Dillon will assume Hocking’s duties for the remainder of the season, with the league hopeful of naming a everlasting alternative earlier than the grand closing.
“It is a relentless job, but Steve has made an enormous contribution to the AFL and the wider AFL industry during his time in the role,” AFL chief govt Gillon McLachlan stated.
“He is a values-driven chief who has introduced calm, confidence and consistency to the operations of soccer throughout the AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW and NAB Leagues and his strategy is much-respected and valued by his colleagues and the broader business.
“He has introduced enchancment to each facet of the sport, whether or not it’s the expansion of the NAB AFLW competitors, the enlargement of psychological well being and welfare initiatives throughout the golf equipment, rule adjustments which have opened up the sport and made it extra spectacular, the event and implementation of the ARC and the continued growth of umpires.
“The soccer being performed on this AFL season, and the sooner AFLW season, have every been distinctive and that may be a testomony to the work of Steve and his crew.
“This is a great opportunity for Steve and the Geelong Cats for the next step in his career and he goes with our gratitude and blessings and I know he will continue to contribute to the industry in his role at clubland.”
Hocking was a key driver in implementing the brand new statue on the mark rule this yr, together with the medical sub.
Cook has led Geelong for the previous 23 years and on this time has rebuilt the Cats’ funds, executed 4 stadium redevelopments at GMHBA Stadium, and was instrumental in securing funding for the ultimate stage of the redevelopment that can begin later this yr.
The long-term administrator has additionally presided over one of the crucial profitable on-field durations within the membership’s historical past that has yielded three premierships, in addition to the introduction of the ladies’s program.
© AAP
