Hard-working ‒ and heart with the Brumbies
Giuliano Flotman has been chairman of the Grahamstown’s Brumbies Rugby – arguably Grahamstown’s premier rugby club – since 2013.
He claims his love for the game of rugby is innate and stems from the high levels of exposure to the game he had via his parents, siblings and friends who also play. Every two years the club elects a chairman who will hold the position and, after once again being elected as chairman standing unopposed last year, Flotman will serve as chairman of the club until at least 2018.
In addition to being chairman of the Brumbies, he is also on the executive committee of the South Eastern District Rugby Union (SEDRU) and has completed the Boksmart course through the South African Rugby Union. He is also very active and can be found at the rugby field during most game and practice sessions.
Flotman has been actively involved in the setup of the Brumbies since its formation in 2000 and he has previously served as a manager and vicechairman of the club, making him familiar with the workings and structures of the club.
Flotman’s duties within the club include ensuring that the Brumbies are in good standing with the Eastern Province Rugby Union and overseeing the club's other executive positions. Along with other executive members of the Brumbies rugby club, Flotman gives money from his own pocket to ensure that the club has electricity so that the squad can train and play matches at night.
As majority of the players within the team come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and many are unemployed, day to day life is difficult. Though manag- ing the Brumbies can be a challenge given that ensuring commitment of players can be difficult, Flotman says with an enthusiastic smile that he, “enjoys every moment of it”.
He admits that managing the players of the club can be difficult but through attending every training session, he is able to maintain a strong sense of assertiveness on the players of his club.
One of Flotman’s dreams is to one day see the Brumbies win the EPRU Super League Grand Challenge Competition and qualify for the SARU Gold Cup.
Flotman was born and bred in Grahamstown, and attended George Dickerson and Mary Waters schools. He also played rugby for the Universals Rugby Club whilst growing up. The Universals rugby team eventually amalgamated with Swallows in 2000 to form the Grahamstown Rugby Club. He harbors a deep passion for the game of rugby and, at age 41, continues to play occasionally as a flank for the Brumbies second team.
He previously played as a scrumhalf and wing for the first team but now plays on the flank due to no longer having the speed he had when he was younger. Outside of the game, Flotman describes himself as a “very career-orientated person” and is a senior superintendent for the Makana Traffic Services. He is a father of two, a daughter Lizaan who is currently in matric and a son Brent, named after the famous former Springbok rugby player Brent Russell.
He also describes himself as a “patriot” who believes in South Africa's potential and supports the Springboks, Bafana Bafana and Proteas in all international competitions. Flotman is a community man who plans to stay involved with the Brumbies far into the future.