Last Tuesday night the Waterside men received word that they were one of the 12 clubs invited to participate in the IFA Premiership next season.
"Obviously we are over the moon that we are in, but I have told everyone the hard work really starts now," admitted Gillard.
"With four teams dropping out the quality of the league should improve. In my opinion every league game will be like a cup final for us."
Boss John Gregg along with his assistant Raymond McGuinness, were given the backing of the 'Stute board earlier this month and Gillard is confident the duo can do well.
"I know that we have a lot of of quality young players at the club and myself and the rest of the committee, are confident that John Gregg can get the right players he wants to ensure that we do well.
"We have a five year plan for Institute FC and John knows about that. In that five year plan we are expecting to be both challenging for honours and also looking to gain a Setanta Sports Cup spot.
"Having held a meeting with John at the end of the season, he impressed not just me but the rest of the committee that he was the right man for the job. He has a lot of great ideas and is confident he can sign the right type of players for us.
The 'Stute chairman, feels his club will finally get the television camera's at the Riverside Stadium next season.
"I was annoyed that last season you could count in practically one hand the amount of times TV cameras were at our ground last season, however that should change next season.
"Those TV cameras at our home games can help us no end in securing revenue, as it's a whole lot easier getting business' around the area to buy advertising billboards signs as they would be shown on TV.
"While next season I think the IFA have secured an agreement with Sky to shown something like 12 or 14 live games next season and I would be hopefully that we would be one of those games."