NRL fans are 'hopping' with joy after it was announced the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs would be bringing a home game to Dubbo for the next two years.
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One Dubbo fan, whose family started following the team almost 100 years ago, said he was really hoping to see the 2020 premiers at the grounds next year.
Dubbo stalwart Bob Berry, said the deal was great not only for Dubbo, but for the entire region.
"I know that there's a very strong following for Souths throughout our Indigenous community, so it will be good for those kids not only from Dubbo but the surrounding region to come in and see their team play," he said.
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Mr Berry said his family had been following the team for years.
"My father started following them in 1922 when he came to live in Sydney from Queensland, and I've naturally followed, and now and my son, grandson and granddaughter are all members.
"All going well they'll continue on that tradition of our family following the Rabbits.
"And that's sport. A lot of clubs and families would be the same, and that's all codes and all clubs. Sport's played a big role in the life of Australians.
"In two years we would have completed our century."
The official announcement was made on Thursday morning by Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields and Rabbithos CEO Blake Solly.
Mr Saunders, who is also the chairperson for the state's NRL Regional Taskforce, said it was important to get more games back to regional NSW and in the midst of COVID is just what the region needed.
"This is a real opportunity for Dubbo, the central west and the western region to go forward on the back of rugby league, it's tourism, it's economic recovery from COVID and it's a whole new way of approaching sport in this region," he said during the announcement on Thursday.
Councillor Shields also said it was a 'win-win' situation for the Dubbo region.
"In addition to direct cash funds, Council will also be providing $100,000 worth of indirect funds to ensure the fields are up to playing standard, and we can get the best possible experience for the two teams playing, and the community experiencing the game," Cr Shields said.
Over the years the NRL has helped stimulate and showcase many regions including Tamworth and Mudgee.
Mr Berry said this was two-fold, with the benefit to Dubbo and the supporters in the region, and the benefit to the club.
"Because when clubs come out they break into a new area ... all the NRL clubs say their financial success is built around memberships, sponsorship and attracting spectators to the games," he said.
"I've witnessed first hand the benefit it's provided to Tamworth, with people going there for the game and so on.
"Dubbo has been missing out and its good to see we've got our opportunity now."
Mr Berry said he was sure to be at Apex Oval next year, donning red, white and green.
"Who knows next year we might even be seeing the 2020 premiers play here?," he said.