The club's committee unanimously voted to move to the stronger competition at a special meeting on Wednesday night at the Hastings Hotel.

Coaching staff assured the club that the Thunder had the numbers to field the required first and reserve grade teams to play in the upper zone.

Thunder will join Hastings Valley Vikings and Port Macquarie Pirates to create another rivalry.

Club president Peter Daley was looking forward to the move.

"It's all systems go for us," he said.

Daley said the move was designed to grow the club. Many players missed out week to week in the lower zone as the club only had one grade.

Everyone who turned up on Wednesday night had the club in mind.

"There are a lot of passionate people involved," Daley said.

"It's a big step for us."

Head coach Marc Minor has the job of getting the players ready for the massive job at hand next season.

"I had to make sure they step up and are prepared," Minor said.

There will be some hurdles to overcome, with some tough matches in the upper zone awaiting Thunder.

Minor was excited to make the leap forward, but he knew it won't be easy.

"Rome wasn't built in a day," he said.

"But it's about giving our juniors something to aspire to."

Training will start next week as the club begins its preparations for the season.