«I dedicate the victory to my little sister who is no longer here»

MONTEBELLUNA (TREVISO) – Behind the Scudetto of Benetton Rugby under 18 a Montebellunese heart beats. Is that of Francesco Dalla Riva, captain of the team that, a week ago, became Italian champions. And the story of Francesco, a 19-year-old who worked for Montebelluna Rugby until 14 but then moved to Benetton, deserves to be told for various reasons. Both because he confirms how, once again, the Montelliano capital proves to be a hotbed of sportsmen, and because the young man represents an example of the ability to combine sport and study given that, a year ahead of his peers, he managed to play at high levels but also to achieve excellent results in high school and now he studies engineering. But also because there is an exquisitely familiar aspect in the victory dedication: the memory of his little sister, Biancofiore, who died at birth before he was born. Francesco, in fact, as well as her entire family, thought of her at the moment of her joy, dedicating the victory to her.

THE MEMORY

«I did it to make her understand that in some way I love her – says Francesco tenderly – In these years I have always known about her; Inter alia, my sister Elena, who is 21 years old, also has her middle name: Biancofiore, exactly. But I also thought of the other sisters Elisa, Erica and my mother Giliola.” Speaking of her relationship with rugby, she continues: «For me rugby in recent years has never been just a sport, but something much more precious and important. I almost feel like comparing him to an older brother. He has always been present in my life. He gave me a terrible time, full of fear, effort and regret, so much so that it almost led me to leave him. This “brother” however, Above all it gave me unforgettable memories and moments, that will accompany me forever. I also have a very similar relationship with my sisters: moments in which we argue heavily, but in the end the good we love for each other wins.” As regards the relationship with the studio: «It was and still is rather complicated. I was only able to alternate things thanks to the support of my family, both in high school and this year at university. We had to make sacrifices in this journey of mine, but in the end it went well and it was worth it». And for the future? «I’ll probably go to another team, Country, Tarvisium or Villorba». His father Piero, very proud, also for this reason remembers «the sacrifice of many years of a boy from Montebelluna who grew up playing rugby at home, where he will certainly return without career ambitions».

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