THE Upper Murray Football Netball League will form a working party to explore playing an amalgamated club in the Tallangatta and District league.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the league under constant pressure to survive, AFL NEB general manager John O'Donohue said it was crucial the region had an alternative.
A nine-member panel is set to be in place by next week.
"It's not a 100 per cent definitive direction but it's about developing another option so the clubs can consider it," O'Donohue said.
"The key message is the league will own the outcome.
"They (working party) need to design it, build it and see if they have the capacity to do it.
"I think it's important the Upper Murray has two options."
Upper Murray league stalwarts Craig McKimmie and Jonathon Pole led a push for clubs to merge and join the TDFL last year.
They (working party) need to design it, build it and see if they have the capacity to do it
- AFL NEB general manager John O'Donohue
It was knocked on the head as clubs voted to continue on the same path in 2020.
Several members of the community have already expressed interest in joining the working party with O'Donohue confident a proposal will be in place by August 15 to fall into line with AFL Victoria Country rules and regulations.
The Upper Murray league has dropped to five clubs this year after Border-Walwa went into recess due to dwindling numbers.
If the competition is able to overcome coronavirus and bushfire challenges, it will only play senior and junior football after reserve grade fell by the wayside.