Brisbane Broncos captain, Adam Reynolds, is a leader on the field, but at home, he’s just Dad. Among the thousands of fans who admire his skill, one stands out as his number 1 fan: his daughter, Zariyaa. Their bond goes beyond the stadium lights, and it's built on laughter, competition and moments of everyday life that make their relationship special.
More than just a game
For Zariyaa, having a father who’s an NRL star means balancing the excitement of watching him play with the challenges of sharing him with the public. “When we go to my sister’s and my brother’s training, he gets about 2,000 pictures because every single person notices him,” Zariyaa says. “People gather, realise he’s Adam Reynolds, and ask for a photo.”
While she understands his importance to fans, for her, he’s just Dad. He’s the guy who plays games with her, watches MrBeast videos, and lets her tag along to training sessions.
A family that plays together
The Reynolds household is a competitive one. Whether it’s a game of backyard golf or a round of video games, there’s always a challenge happening. “I had a team family dinner, and one of my friends came. We were playing video games, and I kept beating him. I got 500 wins,” Zariyaa laughs. “I was just spamming on random buttons.”
Golf has become a favourite pastime for both father and daughter. Adam gets a lot of pleasure from playing golf, and Zariyaa is proving to be just as passionate. “I can hit the ball really high,” Zariyaa says proudly. She’s currently using her brother’s clubs, but Adam says he will get her some of her own soon.
Game days and good luck charms
For Adam, game days are a mix of routine and family time. “Pretty much every game day, I have avocado toast, bacon and eggs,” he explains.
Zariyaa, on the other hand, has her own role on game day: operation distract Dad. “I want him to not think about if he will lose or win,” she says. This includes waking Adam up when he tries to nap.
Adam laughs. “She likes to annoy me on game day, but I secretly love it. It's good to get that distraction away from the game.”
When it’s time to hit the field, Zariyaa watches nervously. “I get butterflies in my tummy,” she admits. “I feel excited and happy for him,” she adds.
Cherished post-game moments
Win or lose, one of Adam’s favourite moments is seeing his family after a game and bringing them out to join him on the field. “It's always good to see them and share a special moment with them,” he says. “I think it's good to get the kids out on the field, and I know if I was in my children's shoes, I would love to be out there.”
For Zariyaa, these moments are both exciting and nerve-wracking. “It’s pretty fun, but I also get nervous to be there because a lot of people are staring,” she admits.
One particularly emotional moment came after the Broncos’ 2023 grand final loss. “I was trying to hold back my tears,” she admits. “I felt proud. Even though you didn't win, you did your best,” she recalls to her father.
Family, football and forever memories
While Adam’s rugby league career has given their family some incredible experiences, at the end of the day, it’s the little moments that matter most. “When he comes home from training, he showers, gets into his pyjamas, and watches sports on YouTube,” Zariyaa reveals with a giggle. “That’s him every single day.”
She has also kept special mementos of her dad’s career, including a bobblehead and a figurine from his time with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. “It actually looks like him!” she says proudly to her father. “I love this. It represents you.”
Through the wins, losses and everything in between, one thing is certain: Adam Reynolds will always have his number 1 fan right by his side. And for Zariyaa, no matter how many fans cheer for him in the stadium, she knows she’s the most important one of all. “He’s a star because he’s my friend and my family,” she says. “And because he cares for and helps others.”
Looking at her Dad, she grins. “And I’m Adam Reynolds’ number 1 fan.”
