‘Something I will never forget’: Jarome Luai’s number one fan’s life-changing experience
Elliyah Nassif is Jarome Luai’s biggest fan. The 11-year-old has shared some life-changing moments with the star NRL player in the past and while she is a lifelong Panthers supporter, she will probably support him no matter where he goes.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jarome Luai may be playing his last game for the Panthers this Sunday, but his biggest fan isn’t letting his move divert her admiration for the star five-eighth.
Meet 11-year-old Elliyah Nassif, a young girl from Liverpool who aspires to be just like Luai.
While she will be Penrith’s number one fan on Sunday, the Tigers will gain some support when Luai moves South West for 2025.
“I’ll still wear lots of Panthers stuff because they are my team, but next year I’ll be with Jarome and the Tigers when they play,” Ms Nassif said.
“We have the same personality, I love how he celebrates, and he is a great team player just like me.”
Initially, she was heartbroken by the news that her favourite player would be departing her team. However, it didn't take long for Ms Nassif to realise her love for Luai ran deeper than the Panthers.
“I don’t feel very good about him leaving my team, but my love and admiration for Jarome will continue,” she said.
Ms Nassif said she plans on supporting Luai wherever he goes, even if he ends up playing for one of her two least-favourite teams, Manly or the Rabbitohs.
As the school captain at Lurnea Public School, Ms Nassif has watched Luai lead his team around the field, and his actions have motivated her to do the same when leading her peers.
When speaking at a school assembly, Ms Nassif will ask herself: What would Jarome do?
Luai has left his mark on many aspects of Ms Nassif’s life and she herself is a little star on both the athletics team and soccer team.
“I have seen how he makes others look good by assisting, and putting his team first, that's what I try do when I play sports,” she said.
“He motivates me to achieve more things.”
Ms Nassif met her hero before a Panthers game last year, where she gifted him a drawing she made.
Tuesday’s open training session at BlueBet Stadium saw Ms Nassif reunite with the Panthers star, and Luai telling her: “I have your drawing on my wall.”
“It means a lot to me to know out of every fan, he took my drawing and hung it on his wall and he took time to acknowledge me,” Ms Nassif said.
“Its something I will never forget.”
To show his appreciation for Ms Nassif, Luai gifted her his hat following the training session on Tuesday.
Sweet 16! Smart, dangerous Next Gen Sevens player you need to know about
There are former elite netballers, touch footballers, the daughter of a gun and a teens with speed. New faces and rising stars you need to know about in the Next Gen Sevens series. SQUADS
‘Somebody’s someone’: Grieving mum’s youth suicide mission
A mother is using the grief of losing her son by suicide to fight the youth mental health crisis, creating a mural in his honour and pushing one important message: You’re somebody’s someone.