The Warrnambool and District Football Netball League club will go into recess after 40 consecutive seasons following a committee decision.

Only the election of a new committee at next Tuesday’s annual general meeting could reverse the outcome.

President Dylan Walsh announced the Sharks’ intentions to rival clubs prior to the league AGM on Wednesday night.

The Mortlake Junior Sharks have opted out of the alignment with the senior club.

Walsh told The Standard the current committee came to the “gap year” decision after exhausting other possible avenues.

“Our constitution says that any decision regarding the future of the club can be made by the committee,” he said.

“We don’t need a member vote because we’re not ceasing, we’re not folding. If that was the case, then we would have to disperse finances.

“If there is anyone who wants to be president and take over and run the job, then we can go from there.”

Walsh cited declining university enrolments at the Warrnambool campus as one of the main issues facing the beleaguered club.

“We’re looking for 12 months time off so we can reassess our situation and look for community support,” he said.

“Hopefully Deakin (University) supports Warrnambool a bit more and that encourages enrolments to come back to this area.”