Two beloved figures from Sydney’s football community are being mourned following their tragic deaths in the shocking mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which has sent tremors throughout the nation.

The horrific incident occurred on Sunday during a Hanukkah celebration, when two suspected gunmen unleashed gunfire, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals and injuring numerous others.

Authorities acted swiftly, shooting one of the alleged attackers dead on the spot and apprehending the other, as they secured the location amidst concerns of additional dangers.

It has now been confirmed that cherished soccer player Dan Elkayam and well-known rugby figure Peter Meagher were among those who lost their lives.

The Rockdale Ilinden Football Club community plans to come together on Monday evening to remember and honor Elkayam.

Dan Elkayam was a French national who played for Rockdale Ilinden Football Club before his tragic death in the Bondi terror attack

Elkayam, a French national in his late 20s, had lived in Australia for several years and worked as an IT analyst for NBC Universal. 

He was Jewish and was celebrating Hanukkah at the beach when he was killed, according to French officials. 

A talented and popular player in the club’s Premier League 1 side, Elkayam was also known for his love of football, Sydney’s beaches, and travelling around Australia.

‘It is with extreme shock and sadness to discover our Premier League 1 player – Dan Elkayam – was a victim of the horrendous, tragic and senseless events at Bondi Beach on Sun 14th Dec 2025,’ the club posted. 

‘Dan was an integral member of our PL1 Squad in 2025 – who was an extremely talented and popular figure amongst team mates.

‘Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dan’s family, friends and all that knew him. He will be missed. May he Rest in Peace – Memory be Eternal.’

Club vice president Lou Tasevski said that the ‘whole team is devastated’ by the news and will gather to ‘console each other’.

Elkayam was one of the 15 innocent people confirmed dead after two alleged shooters opened fire at Bondi Beach on Sunday 

Tributes have come flowing in from around the world for the popular young man who had been living and working in Sydney

‘I am totally shattered – my son plays in that team and they were great friends,’ Tasevski said.

‘It’s a tragic loss and we are still trying to come to grips with it at the present.’ 

General manager and secretary of the club, Louie Belevski, said Elkayam was ‘a wonderful human’ who was ‘very well liked by the club’.

‘He was an inspiration to all players,’ Belevski said.

Elkayam also played in the seven-a-side Project Volta Super League, with the competition also honouring him with a statement on social media.

‘Dan was a valued player in our inaugural competition and a cherished member of our championship team, Casanowra City,’ the league posted.

‘He played a pivotal role in helping his team secure the title and was a deeply respected member of the Project Volta community. 

‘Dan earned the admiration of teammates, opponents, and officials alike through both his commitment to the game and the way he carried himself.’ 

Elkayam reportedly shielded a young girl from the shooters at the expense of his own life

Australian football players and fans from all over the country united to honour Elkayam on Reddit. 

‘May he rest in peace. May his family, friends, teammates, coaches, just literally everyone in his life be supported and just looked after,’ one posted.   

‘This is shocking. I’m not here to talk politics, I am just a football fan that doesn’t want to see this. I send love and respect.

Another posted: ‘So sad. Sending my thoughts to his family, friends and club mates. It’s always difficult losing someone you play alongside. A life lost way too soon.’

‘Rest in peace, and to all who passed away on this dark day for the country. We are football fans, but we are Australians and above all, people of love and peace,’ said another.

Meanwhile, Sydney’s rugby union community is mourning Randwick stalwart Peter Meagher, who was also killed in Sunday’s attack. 

Meagher, a former referee turned first-grade team manager, was working as a freelance photographer at the Bondi Hanukkah celebration when he was killed. 

He had only learned about his maternal Jewish background in 2022 and had embraced it, becoming a much-loved member of the Sydney Jewish community.

Randwick Rugby stalwart Peter Meagher has also been confirmed to be among the casualties

The grandson of Wallabies Hall of Famer Wally Meagher, Peter Meagher he was a much-loved club figure and was named Randwick’s volunteer of the year in 2020. Randwick Rugby Club paid tribute to Peter on Monday by laying a shirt out on the pitch, while also painting his nickname ‘Marzo’ on the grass

Meagher had only recently discovered his Jewish background and was the photographer for the Hanukkah event when the shootings occurred

The grandson of Wallabies Hall of Famer Wally Meagher, he was a much-loved club figure and was named Randwick’s volunteer of the year in 2020. 

‘Marzo, as he was universally known, was a much loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby,’ the club said in a statement.

‘For much of the last decade, Marzo has been our trusted first grade manager and this news has already hit our players, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters extremely hard.

‘Prior to that he was also a highly respected long term referee who was well known and respected in Sydney rugby circles.

‘Our deepest condolences go to his wife Virginia, his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul, their extended families and mountain of friends across Randwick Rugby, NSW Police, Sydney Rugby Referees and our local community.

‘We obviously extend our deepest sympathy to all the other victims, their families and loved ones and those people traumatised by this barbaric act.

‘We also sincerely thank and are in awe of all the first responders for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with such a dangerous and challenging situation to care for those in need.

‘Rest in Peace ‘Marzo’ – we all love you and will miss you greatly. We are devastated.’

Rugby’s major Australian administrations also honoured Meagher in a joint post.

‘Rugby Australia, NSW Rugby Union and the NSW Waratahs join Randwick and the entire rugby community in mourning Peter Meagher, who lost his life during Sunday’s Bondi terror attack.

‘Peter was a beloved member of the Galloping Greens, dedicating countless hours as first grade team manager and a volunteer referee, and followed in the footsteps of his father Ron and grandfather Wally, a Wallabies Hall of Famer, in serving the club.

‘We extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s family, friends and clubmates as well as all the victims of Sunday’s tragedy.

‘We also thank our first responders, emergency services and everyday citizens for their selfless heroism in the face of terror.

‘Rest In Peace, Marzo.’