Geelong vice-president Diana Taylor has resigned from the club’s board after being overlooked as the replacement for outgoing president Craig Drummond.
The Cats announced last week that Drummond, who will depart the board at this year’s AGM, would be replaced by Grant McCabe.
Taylor announced her decision via the networking website LinkedIn.
“In response to significant encouragement by Club Members and the broader community, as the Club’s most experienced elected football person on the Board, I recently nominated for the position of President following the current President’s announcement that he would retire this year,” Taylor wrote.
“My deep grassroots involvement with the Geelong community has given me the unique opportunity to understand what Club Members want and deserve from their beloved club.
“As a Geelong person and someone who has worked across our nation, I have developed a broad perspective for how great our Club can be now and into the future.
“I also believe that after 165 years of Club history and watching the progress of other AFL Clubs, the time is right for the Club to have their first ever female president.
“My nomination was not successful. The board has taken an alternative direction.
“At this point, I consider the most appropriate step is to resign from the leadership position that I hold with our Club.”
A lawyer, Taylor joined the board in 2010, previously serving as president of the Western Region Football League and the first female member of the VFL tribunal.
She was elected vice-president to Colin Carter in 2019.
“For the past 14 years, I have had the great privilege to serve the Members and our Club,” Taylor continued.
“I am particularly proud to have been part of the team that has seen the completion of GMHBA Stadium, achieved record membership levels and financial stability, shared with our community two AFL (M) Premierships in 2011 and 2022, and enhanced the Club’s community and corporate partnerships.
“It has been a particular honour to have played a significant role in securing the club’s AFLW licence, and further, to champion the club’s AFLW and VFLW players and programs, and to introduce the Club’s first Respect for Diversity framework.”
Taylor was honoured earlier this year for her contribution to Australian Rules football with an Order of Australia medal.
She also received the Committee for Geelong’s Frank Costa AO Leadership Award.
The Cats are expected to comment later today (Tuesday).
X: @krockfootball.
