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Edwards, who is 14 and in year eight at Batemans Bay High School, was one of 25 indigenous students selected from the Qantas Kick Start program tour of Melbourne in August to participate in the South African tour, which leaves for South Africa on January 24 and returns on February 5.

This will be the first time Edwards has ventured overseas.

“I’m excited; I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

The AFL Qantas Kick Start officials were impressed with Edwards’s football and leadership potential on the Melbourne trip, and he is expected to put these to good use while participating in football workshops and cultural activities in South Africa.

“The AFL have been ringing regularly to inquire about Elijah’s attendance and work ethic,” Batemans Bay High School deputy principal Neil Reaper said.

Edwards is putting in a solid effort in these areas as well as his football, and the school is understandably happy, especially now that he has another opportunity to accelerate his potential.

“We’re very proud of Elijah, because he is doing well with his studies and his football,” Reaper said.

“He is a great team man, and now he is representing his school, region, state and nation.”

South Africa may seem like a strange place for an Australian rules tour but, unbeknown to many, the AFL has a development program going there.

“There are 15,000 players there, and they call it Footy Wild,” Edwards said.

Edwards and his fellow tourers will be in good company, with Sydney Swans legend Michael O’Loughlin among the luminaries who will be joining them.

The trip will be something of a community effort, with former Batemans Bay Seahawks coach Simon Wheatley assisting Edwards with his passport and other travel arrangements.