Eddie Betts will depart from his role at Geelong, the club has confirmed.
The AFL great joined the Cats last pre-season as a part-time development coach where he helped support the club’s assistants.
In departing Geelong, Betts will now focus on other opportunities outside of the club including spending more time with his new foundation supporting young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people pursue their sporting goals.
Geelong GM of football Simon Lloyd thanked Betts for his contribution and credited him with having a positive influence on the 2022 premiership-winning group.
“Eddie has been a great asset and contributor to our Club and football program this past season, he has impacted our playing group with his ability to build strong relationships and connections,” Lloyd said via a statement.
“He has also had a positive influence on our playing group, especially our younger players and forwards.
“We thank Eddie for the contribution he has made to the Cats, particularly as part of a Premiership season and we wish him, Anna and their family all the best.”
Betts thanked the Cats for helping him grow both professionally and personally.
“Although I am stepping away from the club environment, I hope through my new foundation, I can continue to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people as they enter the AFL space and other professional sporting fields,” Betts said.
“I was fortunate enough to be involved in a small way to win the Premiership and although that is why we all want to be involved in footy – there is always that pull inside me to be involved in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to achieve their goals in sport on a broader scale.
“The Geelong Football Club has been an incredible place for me to grow both professionally and personally – I believe footy success is 5% talent, 95% culture and when you step inside the Geelong footy club, you know they’re destined for success.
“I really want to thank all the coaching staff, the broader club, the staff and the players who accepted me as part of the team very quickly and wish them all the best for next season.”