By Tara Murray
Jacana will not field any senior teams for the rest of the Essendon District Football League season.
After having to forfeit seniors and reserves games twice in the past three weeks, the club met league officials on Monday night to address the future of the club.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, it was confirmed the club would withdraw both its sides for the rest of the season.
The club is intending to field senior teams in the competition next year.
Jaguars’ president David Currie informed the EDFL board at Monday’s meeting that his club would focus on “re-setting” for next year.
“We believe the best use of our club resources is to focus now on developing our senior and junior football plans for season 2020 and beyond, rather than the battles of trying to field men’s senior and reserves teams every week,” Currie said.
“Whilst it is very disappointing and difficult to have to make this decision, the Jacana Football Club has a long and proud history and we are determined to ensure that continues.”
The Jaguars’ under-17 and under-15 sides aren’t affected by the withdrawal of the senior teams.
In the statement, the league announced that the division 2 competition would remain unchanged, with sides due to face Jacana having a bye and automatically getting four points.
For those Jacana matches already played, teams that won will keep their four points. However, all scores for and against Jacana will be cancelled.
The league is still yet to decide what impact Jacana’s withdrawal will have on individual awards.
League chief executive Craig Armstead said he was confident about the future sustainability and direction of Jacana.
“It is unfortunate to not have the Jacana FC competing in our division 2 competition for the remainder of the 2019 season,” Armstead said.
“While disappointed in this outcome, we thank the executive members of the Jacana FC who have been pro-active and transparent in communicating the club’s position with the EDFL throughout this difficult time.
“EDFL division 2 football has been incredibly competitive through the first seven rounds of the season and all indications are that will continue throughout the home-and-away and finals series.”
