The Burra had hoped to re-enter this age group in the Ballarat Football League this year, but an exodus of prospective players has severely depleted its stocks.

Sebastopol club president Cam Morgan said numbers had been promising for one team.

He said the Burra had 17 players listed – encouraging after not having any under-16.5 teams last season.

Morgan said then out of nowhere six pulled out. “It’s decimated us.” 

He said to say the club was desperate for players was an understatement.

Morgan said the club was putting out a call to any players who looked like missing out on a regular game elsewhere to consider a move.  

Sebastopol has met with the BFL, detailing the dilemma it finds itself in, and also had a meeting within its own ranks on Tuesday night.

Morgan said under-14 ranks were stronger, and under-10 and under-12 ranks healthy, with the challenge to keep these youngsters loyal as they progressed through the age groups.

While acknowledging Sebastopol was not the only club with junior number issues, Morgan said there was no easy fix.

He said much of the player imbalance across the region related to demographics. One-third of new home buyers in the club’s catchment area did not have children, one-third of the population were aged pensioners and then the vast majority of children did not play football.​