Selasi Berdie

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]

Selasi Berdie

Personal information
Full name	Selasi Berdie
Born	(1986-02-03) 3 February 1986 (age 39) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Height	185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	101 kg (15 st 13 lb)
Playing information
Position	Prop, Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008–09 Gold Coast Titans 2 0 0 0 0 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008–10 Queensland Residents 2 1 0 0 4
Source: Rugby League Project As of 5 January 2024

Early years

Berdie 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

In 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

Berdie 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]