WRFL: Glen Orden goes into recess for 2023 season

A local footy club in Melbourne’s west forced to go into recess for the 2023 season has opened up on its decision. Here’s what forced its hand.

Another local footy club has closed its doors for season 2023.

Western Region Football League officials wrote to its clubs on Tuesday afternoon to confirm Glen Orden would enter recess for the 2023 season.

“Unfortunately it has become apparent after several club meetings that Glen Orden will not be able to field either a senior or reserves team in 2023,” the email said.

“We have been advised that they will therefore go into recess for 2023, whilst maintaining an Auskick and senior netball presence.

“We will, of, course work alongside them and AFL Victoria with a view to reintroducing them to the competition in 2024.”

After confirming its absence from the 2023, Glen Orden said this was not the end of the club.

“After disappointing numbers at training during the pre-season, we called a second emergency players meeting last night (Monday, February 20) to see where we were going as a senior football club,” a club statement said.

“Unfortunately, not enough players came to the party to continue playing at Glen Orden. Several options were discussed but not matter option we were to go with, we simply don’t have enough players to take the field in the 2023 season.

“We have fought hard over the last seven years since we were last in recess to keep senior football as (sic) of our sporting club.

“The doors are not shut as we will continue as the Glen Orden Sports Club and will continue to invest in the sporting teams that we do have.

“Once again we will have a massive challenge to rebuild our senior football team in 2024 but for now (we) encourage all of you to support the Hawks netball, cricket and Auskick teams in any way that you can.”

The league also posted a statement to its website.

“The club tried their hardest to enter a senior and reserves side for the upcoming season, but have now informed the league of their decision to go into recess for 2023,” the league said.

“The WRFL will continue to support Glen Orden through this process and their recovery to re-join the competition next season.”

Several other clubs across Victoria will also sit out the 2023 season including Essendon and District league outfit Jacana who announced its decision on February 10.

Other clubs including Corowa-Rutherglen (Ovens and Murray league), Rushworth (Kyabram District league) and Glen Waverley (Eastern league) will not play this year.

In announcing the news, the WRFL said it would revise the Division 2 fixture.