The under 17 South-Port player took part in the Mid North Cricket Academy training camp in Crystal Brook recently, and was spotted by coaching staff from Woodville District Cricket Club.

Loupos said he was “really happy” when he recieved a letter from the club offering him a spot on the presitigous side, whose A Grade team are back-to-back premiers from the past two seasons.

Loupos was told in the letter he had been “identified as a talented cricketer”, at the camp, which was aimed at testing not only physical skill but knowledge of the game and scoring.

“Grade cricket is the premier cricket competition in the State and is a pathway to the Redbacks and beyond,” the letter, from South Australian Cricket Association development officer Chris Trapp, and Woodville’s junior director Geoff Turley said.

And that is exactly what Loupos is hoping for, as he dreams of becoming a professional cricketer.

“I’d like to play for the Redbacks, but also Australia,” he said.

He knows that he’s got to train hard to get up to national standard.

Mum Fiona said her son has had a cricket bat in his hand since he was two years old, and that he “lives and breathes” the sport.

She said that although he is only 15, he is very mature and has a good head on his shoulders.Mrs Loupos said her son can acheive anything if he trains hard enough.

Not only does he spend a lot of time in the backyard with his younger brothers, but he plays in the under 17s side with South-Port and has also played in the B grade compeition.

And he hopes that his Woodville and South-Port game times don’t clash, and said South-Port will be a priority if it does.

The club has organised for Loupos to train once a fortnight and games will be played on Saturdays.

Loupos said he is an all-rounder, and admires both Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne for their individual skills.

“I like Ricky Ponting as a person and he’s a great batter,” he said.

The Loupos family are all involved in cricket, and moved from Victoria in January this year.

Loupos said the opportunity to play with a team like Woodville would not have come along where they were living in Victoria.

“This has come along from living in Port Pirie,” he said.

He also likes the difference between the club cultures of the two locations.

He said that the local clubs are friendlier and there is “not as much rivalry”.