Hood said he was extremely humbled to be given the award, and "rather taken aback".
He said he attributes a great deal of his success to his former coach, Merv Campbell.
"My coach Merv was one of these many people who helped shape our lives, but oh, what a significant sculptor he was".
"For me a memorable moment occurred at the 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, USA," Hood said.
"Both Merv and I were assigned to the Mens' 3m springboard final, the 3m springboard had been my specialty event and while we had not been successful in achieving a place on a New Zealand Olympic team here we were, as destiny would have it, Merv as one of the seven judges and I as the referee," Hood said.
"During the event I felt extremely privileged to be sharing this special time together on the diving pool deck, mentor and student; in roles that, in times past were in the realms of impossible fantasy!"
Hood said there was not one aspect of his career with diving that he preferred, he loved being a part of all of it; the competing, the coaching, the judging and being a referee.
He said no athlete or person has ever been successful alone.
"There is no such thing as a "self-made" man or woman. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us; or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success."
