XAVIER College student Austin McDonald will represent South Australia twice this month in two separate sports – basketball and football.

The 15-year-old will travel to Darwin with the SA Country basketball side, after he was selected following successful trials and a terrific Australian Junior Country Basketball Championship campaign in Albury back in January.

At the end of the month, he’ll venture to Launceston with the School Sport SA 15 and under Australian side at the national championships.

Austin, who plays as a midfielder in footy and a point guard in basketball, was delighted to be selected in both sides.

“It’s pretty impressive, and I feel pretty pumped,” he said.

“It means a fair bit (to play for the state), and playing as a bottom ager and now a top ager two years in a row, not many players get that opportunity.”

While Austin has represented South Australia on the national stage before in basketball, this will be his first venture with football, and he’s raring to go.

“It’ll be tough competition, big boys and big bodies,” she said.

“It’ll be great to get out there and to see how good I am compared to the rest of Australia, and where I sit.”

Austin said maintaining the balance can often be tough, and he’s been restricted to just two games for his local Barossa, Light & Gawler footy side, Barossa District.

“The hardest thing is maintaining my body and keeping it in a good condition,” he said.

“I make sure I eat well and drink plenty of water.”