Selasi Berdie (born 3 February 1986) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played two matches with the Gold Coast Titans, as prop. He is believed to be the first player of African descent to play in the National Rugby League.[1]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Selasi Berdie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 3 February 1986 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 101 kg (15 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop, Second-row | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Rugby League Project As of 5 January 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early years
editBerdie grew up in Melbourne and played tennis before taking up rugby league.[citation needed] Berdie graduated with a double degree in sports science and management in 2008.[2][failed verification]
Queensland Cup
editIn 2008 Berdie was signed by the Gold Coast Titans and was assigned to play for a feeder club, the Tweed Heads Seagulls, in the Queensland Cup.[3]
In 2008 he played for Queensland Country and the Queensland Residents sides.[4][5]
Gold Coast Titans
editBerdie made his National Rugby League debut playing for the Gold Coast Titans in round 26 of the 2008 NRL season. In round 23 of the 2009 NRL season, he made one further appearance for the club. Berdie was fondly known by the nickname "Big Bird".[6]
References
edit- ^ Berdie's debut sure to go down big in Ghana Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine wotnews, September 2008
- ^ Gold Coast Titans NRL player, Selasi Berdie graduates his double degree in sports science and management Sunday Mail, 21 December 2008
- ^ Toowoomba v Tweed Head Archived 22 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine QLD Official Site, 18 March 2008
- ^ QLD Representative Season In Review Queensland Weekend & Club Footy News, 22 December 2008
- ^ Late call for Berdie to fly out goldcoast.com.au, 31 May 2008
- ^ "Mackay News | Daily Mercury | for all your news and events around Mackay, Daily Mercury has you covered. Get the latest updates on sport and local news. | the Courier Mail".