The club said today that Goddard, an Australian Federal Police officer, had returned to Canberra to pursue her career.

“I feel very privileged to have coached Adelaide’s AFLW team for the past two seasons,” Goddard told the club’s website.

“It has been an honour to work with this playing group and I’ll always be proud of what we achieved and grateful to the Adelaide Football Club for the opportunity.”

Goddard was appointed the inaugural coach of the Crows’ women’s team in 2016, leading Adelaide to the premiership in the landmark competition’s first season.

She will continue to be involved in football.

“I’m really looking forward to coaching men’s football with the Canberra Demons in the NEAFL in the coming months and I’m hopeful that one day I will have the opportunity to work in football full time,” Goddard said.

Crows CEO Andrew Fagan said Goddard “will always be part of the Crows family”.

“She delivered a premiership and also inspired a generation of young girls and women to consider a professional sporting career in football, or even be a supporter and follow the game we all love,” he told the club’s website.

“In a perfect world, we would love to have seen Bec continue in her coaching role but equally understand the decision she has made.”

Adelaide will start the search for a new coach “in the coming weeks”.