The Burra rejects an AFL Goldfields review recommendation to move it from the BFNL to the Central Highlands league as soon as next season.

Sebastopol president Cameron Morgan said the club saw its long-term future in the BFNL.

The club has called a meeting of its board for Friday night to prepare a response to the recommendation.

Morgan spoke passionately to The Courier about Sebastopol’s desire to remain part of the BFNL, expressing disappointment that the recommendation appeared to be based on a win/loss ratio.

He said there was more to a club than wins and losses.

Morgan acknowledged that a move to the CHFL was one of five possible scenarios for the future of the club aired in the review’s consultation process.

He said continuing in the BFNL was another.

Sebastopol first aired its objection to the suggestion of a move to the CHFL on its Facebook page.

The statement included: “…SFNC would like to ensure the members of the club that these recommendations are just that (recommendations ) and NOT the intention of the club. With these recommendations now public knowledge, it gives us the opportunity to show the public what a close community we are by staying committed to our club and continuing our growth moving into the future, ensuring we stay in the BFNL and not the CHFL as recommended.”

Morgan addressed the senior playing list, netballers and junior community on the issue on Thursday, with each sector providing overwhelming support to remain in the BFNL.

He said he had also canvassed a substantial section of the member base, with the same support shown to continue in the BFNL.

Morgan said a move to the CHFL would mean loss of 140 players across all grades of football and netball owing to fewer number of junior football and netball teams.

He said tearing the club apart in the manner would be totally unacceptable.

If Sebastopol was lost to the BFNL, the competition would be reduced to 10 teams.