By RUSSELL BENNETT
CHRIS Seuren’s reasoning for once again taking on the presidency of his beloved St Francis Xavier Old Collegians is a simple one – “I just had to – I can’t let the club die”.
Make no mistake, these are dire times for the X-men.
A lack of numbers has forced them out of the VAFA’s Division 3 competition and back down to Club XVIII – right where they started in 2007.
It’s undoubtedly a fall from their premiership in 2011, and four finals campaigns.
But Seuren, who has returned to the club presidency in place of Drew Butcher, said it was a necessary step in rebuilding the club and setting it up for sustained success.
“We’ve probably had an ageing group over the years, with a few players retired and a few who’ve left us this year,” he said.
Bottom line – Seuren said the club simply couldn’t have this happen again.
“I just think we’re lucky we can go back to a competition like that (Club XVIII),” he said.
But the X-men have the people in place to take the club forward.
“Now we’ve got some guys together to be part of a sub-committee looking at where we’re going to be and what we’re going to do in 2020 and 2025,” Seuren said.
“We want to make sure we’re recruiting players.
“If that’s starting a junior club, or it’s getting aligned with some others, this is what we need to work out. We have to get the players coming through.
“But this just might be the kick in the guts we need to really succeed, too.”
The X-men enjoyed a huge win back at Club XVIII level on Saturday, knocking off the Westbourne Grammarians 16.22 (118) to 5.3 (33).
Anyone looking to get involved with the X-Men, who play their home games at Beaconsfield’s St Francis Xavier College, should call club president Chris Seuren on 0414 983 076 or player-coach Trent Pearson on 0423 333 297, or search for ‘St Francis Xavier OC Football Club’ on Facebook.
