The women's side - which was all but locked in for 2020 just a month ago - will have another 12 months on the sidelines while the men's side, which was set to become an under-23s team in 2020, has also been withdrawn.

While the Eagles have been developing junior referees for some time, Basketball NSW requires senior referees of a higher level to be made available during the season, with four referees required for the two teams.

Orange Basketball Association had just the one, who despite travelling to accreditation days and referee training sessions was unable to qualify.

Eagles senior representative coordinator Kristie Parish said it was "disappointing" considering both sides had been in training, with the Eagles - backed by potential skipper-in-waiting Sophie Heta - pulling together the numbers for what would have been the first women's side in memory.

"The rules and requirements were put forward going in and what we had to do," Parish said.

"We were hoping if we put the teams in and made the effort they might take pity on us, but the risk was if we put forward the teams and didn't have the referees they would fine us if we left it much later."

While Parish said players were obviously disappointed, the Eagles had been keeping training "pretty low-key", with players and coaches aware the teams might not be able to line up on the court next year.

"We were keeping them informed and hoping we would be able to play going forward," she said.

Parish said the side would be addressing the referee shortage before aiming to re-enter the Spalding Waratah League in 2021.

Parish thanked players, coaches and administrators who'd put in the time to help the Eagles aim towards 2020.

She said she wasn't sure what options would be available to Eagles players to take the court in 2020 in Orange or elsewhere, but said the association would be exploring its options.