Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Former NRL player Jai Arrow and partner Berina have secretly tied the knot just months after he announced his retirement following his devastating MND diagnosis.
The happy couple posted a series of photos on Instagram of their elopement, which appeared to be at the courthouse outside Martin Place in Sydney over the weekend.
Daughter Ayla was involved in the small ceremony, as well as another couple for witnessing the “special” moment.
“We did a thing 💍! Don’t know how Italy will top this one but we can’t wait to celebrate with all our family and friends 🫶,” the couple wrote in a joint post on Instagram.
“An extra special thank you to our family friends The Beath’s for witnessing our special day and watching our little angel.
“I am in awe of how amazing people are. Thank you to Maddi, Lucy, Jazz, and everyone who gave their time to make this elopement a very extra special one.”
The couple got engaged in late 2024 in Italy before welcoming their daughter Ayla into the world last year.
Arrow announced his heartbreaking retirement in May after revealing his devastating MND diagnosis.
The NRL community has rallied around the 30-year-old and his family since the diagnosis.
The NRL recently announced it will throw the world’s biggest birthday party for Arrow on July 12 as the centrepiece of a series of fundraising activities to support his fight against MND.
“This will be a case of the game uniting behind our own,” Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM said.
“We are a family.
“Jai and his family need our help and they will get it. One of the best things about Rugby League is its ability to unite for an important cause and they do not get more important than this.
“On July 12, we will throw the biggest birthday party in the world for Jai. It will be a huge occasion with the whole game involved.
“This is not just for Rabbitohs and Knights fans – it’s for everyone in the game to get behind. Don’t bring presents. Bring a donation. And help Jai get through this with everyone in the Rugby League community behind him.”
Last month, an emotional Arrow rung the South Sydney legacy bell before the club’s fundraiser clash with his former club Brisbane.
The Rabbitohs wore white-out jerseys with ‘Arrow’ emblazoned on the back of each and every one.
The kits were auctioned off after the game and the money — as well as profits from replica white-out jerseys — provided directly to the Arrow family to support them through the challenges ahead.
Brisbane’s jumpers also had Arrow’s club heritage number No.222 emblazoned onto it.
But before a speck of dirt touched the jerseys, players from both sides formed a guard of honour as Arrow walked out with partner Berina and their daughter Ayla.
Arrow was already in tears and fought off more as he rang the bell.
“We’ve never witnessed anything like this, folks. What a moment in this young man’s life,” Andrew Voss said on Fox Sports.
Every player embraced Arrow afterwards and an inspired Souths side quickly went up 12-0 on their way to a huge 48-6 victory over the Broncos.
