Despite some initial reservations about the elite competition, the association has largely embraced the new league with Yoogali Football Club, Yoogali Soccer Club and Hanwood Football Club already eager to sign on the dotted line.

But before clubs register for the league on the January 16 deadline, Griffith association president Matthew Curran said there are still a number of sections that need to be ironed out.

"We are going to put a sanction in place at the next meeting regarding players' movements between the leagues," Curran said. "We need to protect the local teams against possible stacking if a team goes down to Shepparton and doesn't go well.

"There will be a rule that if you play a certain number of games in Shepparton then you can't play in the local league."

Curran said the sanction would stop teams from returning unsuccessful from the elite competition and unfairly weighting their sides by putting their players in the local finals.

"As president of the association all I care about is the Griffith association, so we have a fair competition and we look after our juniors," he said.

"The main thing is we make sure everyone fulfils their commitments in the local competition and everyone swore to do that at the meeting last night."

Hanwood Football Club president Jason Restagno said it was an exciting step forward for soccer in the region and the clubs were eager to work together to make the league a reality.

"The main concept is very encouraging not only for local football but for the whole region," he said.

"From our point of view, as president of Hanwood Football Club, our first priority is the players' interests and the future of soccer and after this year our players want more challenges and we are excited about the prospect of this new grade of football."