The 15yearold is tall, talented and a team player who is eager to learn.

At the weekend he was preparing and looking forward to heading north to the Australian Institute of Sport at Canberra for a training session before going on to Blacktown, Sydney, to play with the Victorian under-16 Country team in the national championship.

One of 10 members of the Southern Stingrays development squad, Pierce plays with Mt Eliza's U16s. He joined the club seven years ago and said he loved the game.

A year 10 student at Haileybury College, where he also plays in the college's firsts basketball team, Pierce quit his school footy team when he was selected for the elite Stingrays development squad, which is based at Dandenong.

The teenager does a lot of travelling, starting off with getting on the bus at 7.30am to take him to school at Keysborough, then later to footy training after school, then home.

But he doesn't seem to mind one bit.

"They are great coaches at the Stingrays. I am learning so much. I really enjoy playing with the other players in the Country team," said the typically laconic ruckman, who hopes to also be a valuable forward as his career progresses.

He's learning to use his height and talent while resting in the forward pocket.

"How many goals have you kicked this year?" he was asked.

"About two," Pierce confessed after a moment's thought. But he's learning how to use his reach and height to advantage in the 50-metre zone and there will be more majors coming from this young ruckman.

He is enjoying playing and training with the elite Country squad under the coaching of Mark Wheeler and former Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon. "He's terrific."

Pierce says his ambition is to eventually play AFL or go on and study architecture.

When it was suggested he could do both, like state planning minister and Carlton legend Justin 'Harry' Madden, he laughed.

If you excel in a sport, have a passion for what you do, or know someone with these qualities, let us know by logging on to the Victorian Community Sports Star Awards website here.