AFL club Geelong have appointed pioneering football administrator and corporate lawyer Diana Taylor to their board.

Taylor was the first woman appointed to the VFL tribunal and the first woman to lead a senior men's Melbourne metropolitan football competition.

She also created the Women's Football Foundation in 2007, aimed at promoting the role of women in football.

Born and raised in Geelong, Taylor replaces former club great Doug Wade, who has retired from his position on the Cats board.

"As a lifelong Geelong supporter, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my football, commercial and legal skills to the challenge of ensuring that the club continues to achieve both on-field and off-field success," Taylor said.

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