VIADANA The 2023/24 Serie A Elite Men’s season has come to life with the play-off phase. With the race for the Scudetto preparing to experience its climax this weekend, the ball is in the fans’ court, called to vote online for the best player of the 2023/24 season. All fans will be able to express their preference via the official Fir Federugby.it website until 12pm on Tuesday 14th. Three players are nominated to compete for the award as best player in the top men’s championship, chosen from among those who have received the most nominations from a group of specialized journalists. Contending for the title are the opener of Femi-CZ Rovigo Jacob Atkins, the utility back of Petrarca Scott Cameron Lyle and the captain of Rugby Viadana, revelation of the Serie A Elite, Samuele Locatelli. Samuele, born in Lecco on 30 July 2001, arrived in Viadana in the summer of 2021 and has become one of the strongest third lines in the championship. «This appointment is very pleasing – comments Locatelli, third line – It is largely due to the work we have done as a team: without my teammates and the staff this appointment would not have happened». A nomination that is worth double because in addition to having deserved it on the pitch with his performances, Samuele deserved it because he fights every day with type 1 diabetes. «I have never talked about it but yes, I have lived with diabetes since I 10 years. Our coexistence works perfectly now; of course every now and then it causes some discomfort but over the years I have learned to manage it. I’m not the only sportsman to have it, not even the only rugby player. In fact, I often take Henry Slade as an example: also diabetic, he came to play for the English national team, one of the strongest teams in the world. It cannot therefore be a limiting factor.”
