It will be a dream come true when Ryan Evans takes to the field to represent Australia at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) under 19 World Championships later this year.
The Dawesville-based young gun had his hard work pay off when he was named to the Australian Outback squad earlier this month, and is now set to fly to Ohio, USA to take on the world in July.
There he and his Aussie teammates will be pitted against the teams from Canada, Mexico, Europe, America and more as they chase international glory.
"I was just buzzing when I found out I'd made the team," Evans said.
"It's crazy. I've been training for this for 12 months so to be able to see my name on that list, I was just stoked."
Evans' selection comes off the back of a stunning season with his local Rockingham Vipers in WA's Gridiron West competition.
At just 16 years old, the promising cornerback blanketed opposing receivers in both the junior and senior grand finals to help steer the Vipers to championship titles in both grades.
Those wins followed his selection to play for the WA Raiders at last year's Australian championships, from which he's since been training relentlessly to snare a spot on the Outback roster.
It still hasn't really hit me yet - to be playing for Australia, that's incredible.
- Ryan Evans
"I feel like the past year has been a blast," he said.
"To win both grand finals with Rockingham has been awesome - I think I played better in the seniors game so that was a great experience.
"Those results have put my confidence through the roof at the moment, which is really helping the way I play."
But Evans' ambitions don't end with the Australian team, as he eventually hopes to find himself playing in the United States.
"That's the goal at the moment, to be playing in America," he said.
"If I can get on a team there, who knows how far this thing can go?"
Evans will take part in a pre-tournament training camp with his Australian teammates in Queensland before flying out bound for the World Championships in late June.
The tournament will be played at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Evans and his teammates are currently fundraising to pay their way to the tournament, with donations being taken through their GoFundMe page.
To find out more about the fundraising drive or to donate, click here.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
