“Clearly the team and club had not let their slow start to this year’s season get them down,” Cr Rhoades said.

“They never lost confidence in themselves and this first win will have given them the major boost that we hope will see them achieve even better results through the rest of the season.”

The Rabbitohs secured their first victory for the season on Sunday defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 28-24 at ANZ Stadium.

In March, Coffs Harbour City Council signed a corporate partnership agreement with the Rabbitohs, making the city the club’s senior tourism partner.

The main outcome of the agreement has the establishment of the Camp Rabbitoh training facility at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, which will be a regular base for the team and its officials.

Every year, the club will also play a pre-season game in the city, as well as run a primary school education and training program.

In addition, the agreement gives council access to a 100m strip of LCD signage at the ANZ Stadium during every Rabbitohs home game through which the Coffs Coast area and events can be promoted.

“It is a great win for the club, and a well deserved reward for the Rabbitohs’ management and players,” council general manager Stephen Sawtell said.

“The agreement we have with the South Sydney Football Club will see them training in Coffs Harbour twice a year and the club will also be involved in Business Visits and Business Seminars in Coffs Harbour on a regular basis."