The gifted footballer was chosen to represent Australia in the AIS AFL Academy Team to play a test match against the South African national team.

He said the trip was a life-changing experience.

During the 14-day tour, the team

visited Johannesburg and Cape Town where they conducted clinics in the

suburbs and surrounding villages.

Seeing the young children and their families living in poverty-stricken

villages moved Lewis. He said that he realised how lucky he was to have the opportunities he has and the chance to fulfil his dreams.

This experience has given him the desire and drive to play at the highest level. Football legends Nathan Buckley and Michael Voss were part of the coaching staff for the 30-man team.

The team has taken part in several training camps with the Australian Institute of Sport grooming them for AFL careers.

They were taught mental toughness, leadership skills, public speaking, table manners and the correct way to conduct themselves in public. Lewis has realised it is not enough to rely on talent and is following the AIS training program with a special diet, weight and core sessions. He has to report his progress to the AIS coaching staff regularly.

Lewis has improved his chances of being in the national draft at the end of the football season, having just been chosen to represent the under 18 State team which will compete for the Teal Cup later this year.

He is a dedicated young man with a passion to succeed and he said that

travelling to Adelaide three times a week to train for the next eight weeks is a small price to pay.