Geelong will soon feature in the nation’s elite women’s football league after it was awarded a licence to play in the AFLW competition from the 2019 season.

The Cats successfully fielded a team in the VFLW this year, winning eight times in 14 games to just miss the finals.

Geelong Cats CEO Brian Cook said this is a significant day in the club’s 158 year history.

“This is an exciting and proud day for our club,” Cook said.

“We have been a strong supporter of AFLW and we are thrilled to be joining the league in 2019.

“Over the past year we have introduced a women’s team into the VFL.

"This decision was one of the best we have made, with the growth of female participation in the region growing at a huge rate, while our club has been improved by having a great group of players wear the hoops.

“To now be able to move into the AFLW in 2019 is the next step for us, and one that we are ready to take. We will offer inspiration to aspiring players throughout the region, and our supporters and members will embrace this team.

“Our players have first class facilities and there will be greater pathways into off field roles for coaches, administrators and specialists.

“The club will begin preparing for its entry in 2019 and look forward to growing the game.”

Jordan Ivey and Danielle Higgins, who were key members of the Cats VFLW team in 2017 couldn’t be happier with this AFL’s decision.

"It has been a nervous wait,” Higgins said.

“That was our main goal, to get a team in the AFLW competition. We're just so stoked for that to happen."

Ivey added her thanks to those behind the scenes that put the Cats bid and program together.

"I'm just really happy for everyone who has been behind the application and really excited for the Geelong public to finally have a team to support in the AFLW,” Ivey said.

“It's an amazing feeling."

The Cats will remain in the VFLW competition in 2018, then it will field teams in both the VFLW and AFLW competitions from 2019.

Geelong’s women’s team has already received a huge amount of support from across south-west Victoria.

The Cats signed more than 600 Women’s Pioneer Members in 2017 and large crowds turned out to watch the team’s home matches, which were played at a range of venues, including Simonds Stadium and Deakin University’s Elite Sports Precinct at Waurn Ponds.