Keilor Park won’t field open age men’s teams in the Essendon District Football League this season.
The club met with the league on Tuesday night, where it informed them it didn’t have enough players to field either senior or reserves sides in division 2.
In a statement on the club’s Facebook page, the club confirmed the sad news and apologised for the lateness of the decision.
Up until two weeks ago the club was planning to field a senior side, but a reserves side had looked unlikely.
“It is with a heavy heart that the KPFC have decided to withdraw our senior team for season 2018,” the statement said.
“The decision was agreed as the best way forward to ensure our senior side remain respected and capable of challenging the best in the league on a weekly basis far into the future.
“The club has exhausted every possible avenue; but have simply been unable to retain and attract enough players.”
Injuries, retirement and career commitments were the main reason for players dropping out and the club has been unable to attract recruits.
The statement said the club was no longer able to accept the uncertainty of living week to week and wanted to reset and review every aspect of the club to regain the trust and respect of the football community and look to again field open age men’s sides in 2019.
The statement also thanked senior coach Marcus Barclay for his passion for the club and efforts in trying to field a competitive team.
While the club won’t have an open age men’s teams, the news isn’t all bad news for the Devils. For the first time in years the club’s balance sheet, Auskick Centre and junior program are running strong. They will also field a women’s side this year.
A bye will replace Keilor Park in the fixture.
EDFL chief executive Craig Armstead thanked the club for its handling of the situation and its transparency in dealing with the league throughout the process.
“On a positive note, Keilor Park will still be represented at senior level in our new EDFL women’s competition, which is very encouraging,” he said in a statement on the EDFL website.
“We’re also very encouraged by the fact that Keilor Park will field a full complement of junior boys teams and continue to develop a strong Auskick program.”
Tara Murray
