WESTERN Jets captain Kyle Hartigan took off with the AIS-AFL Academy squad on Sunday heading for South Africa as part of an 18-day tour.

Hartigan, along with Jets team-mate Trent McKenzie, is part of the 30-player squad which is renowned as being a gateway to AFL selection, with 24 players successfully making the transition last year, including number one draft pick Jack Watts (Melbourne), Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne), Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) and Michael Hurley (Essendon).

Hartigan is not getting too far ahead of himself though, preferring to soak up as much information as he can as he continues to develop as a footballer.

“This is definitely a great chance, to represent my country is just an honour. Just to get picked in the 30 boys is an honour,” he said.

“I am taking it all as it comes and getting as much knowledge as I can about it, hopefully I get drafted but we will see.

“This is definitely the biggest thing I have done with my football.”

The Hillside resident was excited about heading to South Africa.

“It is going to be a great experience,” he said.

“I have been to Thailand a couple of times which was awesome but I have been told about South Africa and what it does to you and how it will change your outlook on life.

“It makes you appreciate what you have at home.”

Head coach Alan McConnell said the opportunity to travel with and learn from the assistant coaching panel consisting of Nathan Buckley, Jason McCartney and Marcus Ashcroft, would be priceless in the development of the AFL’s next generation of stars.

“This tour will not only provide invaluable football development, it will also provide tremendous opportunities for personal growth,” he said.

Hartigan said he had been learning plenty from the talented coaching panel.

“Bucks has got a ton of knowledge. Anything he shares you take it on board and try and put it into practice.

“Jason McCartney is my mentor and he has heaps of knowledge and because I play down back I am always hitting him up with questions.”

Hartigan will miss two rounds of the TAC cup competition after recently being named the captain for the Jets side in 2009 – an honour which he doesn’t take lightly.

“It was awesome just to be respected by my peers really. It is an honour for me to be known as that by my club and by my mates.

“I miss round two and three, TAC has a bye in round four and then I will be back for round five. We started off with a win, I got a few possies, hopefully we can keep that going.”

For now though, the Year 12 Essendon Keilor College student will focus on his duties in South Africa, including practice matches and teaching clinics to local kids.