Kaniva-Leeor United will apply to join Horsham District Football Netball League for the 2021 season.

The Cougars, affiliated with cross-border Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara league, voted at a meeting last night to pursue the change.

The joint football-netball club now has to present its case to Horsham District league board for assessment and a decision.

The Cougars’ move comes after an exploration last month into a potential merger between Kaniva-Leeor United and neighbouring Wimmera league club Nhill. The Cougars had been keen for the merger but Nhill voted against the proposal.

AFL Wimmera Mallee region manager Jason Muldoon, who attended last night’s meeting, said Horsham District league’s board could accept or reject the application and there was an appeals process in place.

“While Kaniva-Leeor United plays in a primarily South Australian competition the club comes under the AFL Wimmera Mallee umbrella,” he said.

“We’ve been in constant dialogue with the South Australian National Football League and like us, their main objective is to ensure the club has the best opportunity to play footy and netball in 2021. We will be providing full support for that to happen.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic placing community football into recess this year, speculation continues to generate about the plans of other clubs in the region.

Mr Muldoon said he had informally investigated word that Horsham District league club Jeparit-Rainbow and Wimmera league’s Southern Mallee giants were considering a partnership.

“After informal phone calls to both clubs, there is nothing official on the table at this stage,” he said.