Draft:Franklin Bertolini

Namibian former international rugby union player From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franklin Marcelino Bertolini (born (1990-09-27)27 September 1990 in Windhoek) is a former Namibian rugby union player who played as a prop for the Namibia national team.[1] Before his senior test debut, he represented Namibia at the Under-19 and Under-20 youth international levels. Regionally, he represented the Hardap Raiders, and he played for Oranjemund, Rehoboth, and United in the Namibian club competitions before retiring at the end of the 2015 season. Outside of his athletic career, he works as an architectural technologist based in Rehoboth, Namibia.

Full nameFranklin Marcelino Bertolini
Born (1990-09-27) 27 September 1990 (age 35)
Windhoek, Namibia
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Weight117 kg (18 st 6 lb; 258 lb)
Quick facts Full name, Born ...
Franklin Bertolini
Full nameFranklin Marcelino Bertolini
Born (1990-09-27) 27 September 1990 (age 35)
Windhoek, Namibia
Height1.87 m (6 ft 1+12 in)
Weight117 kg (18 st 6 lb; 258 lb)
SchoolWynberg Boys' High School, South Africa
OccupationArchitectural Technologist
Rugby union career
Position Prop
Youth career
2009 Namibia U19
2010 Namibia U20
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009 Oranjemund RC
2009–2011 Rehoboth RC
2012 United RC
2013–2014 Rehoboth RC
2014–2015 United RC
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Hardap Raiders
2014 Namibia 2 (0)
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Early life and education

Bertolini was born in Windhoek, Namibia. He began his early education in his hometown, attending Pioneers Park Primary School for his first and second grades. He subsequently moved to Oranjemund, where he attended the Oranjemund Private School up until the end of his seventh-grade year. He later completed his secondary schooling at Wynberg Boys' High School in South Africa, where he matriculated. He was part of the class of 2008.

Rugby career

Bertolini, known in rugby circles by his nickname "Bees", primarily played as a prop. Before transitioning fully to senior rugby, he represented Namibia at the youth international level. In 2009, he played in the U19 Rugby Africa Cup, earning two caps during the team's tour to Kenya.[2] The following year, he earned two additional youth caps while playing for the Namibia Invitational U20 side during their 2010 tour to South Africa.[3][4]

He began his senior amateur career with the Oranjemund Rugby Club in 2009. He then joined the Rehoboth Rugby Club, where he played from 2009 to 2011, winning the 2009 Namibia Rugby Premier League with the team, and returned for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He also had stints with the United Rugby Club in Windhoek during the 2012 season, and again from 2014 to 2015, helping lead the forward pack in the national club championships and winning the 2014 Rugby Premier League Title.[5]

At the regional level, Bertolini represented the Hardap Raiders in 2013, notably scoring tries as a front-rower during their competitive season.[6] His strong performances at the club and regional levels led to his selection for the Namibia national rugby union team (the Welwitschias) in 2014. He earned two international caps for Namibia, making his senior test debut on 7 November 2014 against Canada in Colwyn Bay, Wales, and later appearing against Portugal.[7] Bertolini retired at the end of the 2015 rugby season to focus on his family and professional career.

Professional life

Outside of sports, Bertolini built a career in design and agriculture. Based in Rehoboth, Namibia, he works as a freelance architectural technologist, visualizer and part time farmer.

References

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