West Coast Eagles AFLW midfielder Bella Lewis is embracing the opportunity to connect with the South West community, as the team travelled to Bunbury for their AFLW Community Camp ahead of Sunday’s AFL match against North Melbourne.

Speaking from the camp, Lewis said it was exciting to see top-tier football brought to regional WA.

“It’s such a good opportunity. Country people are known for loving their footy, and it’s great to have the game down here,” Lewis said.

The AFLW team has been visiting local schools, sharing their stories and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

“We’ve been speaking to the students today, giving them an insight into our life and showing that no matter what path you’ve taken or where you’ve come from, you can still make it in the AFLW,” Lewis said.

 “It’s such a special thing for kids in the South West to know they can still live out their dream.”

As a rising star and leader within the squad, Lewis is passionate about her role in helping pave the way for young girls in the sport.

“It’s so important being a role model,” she said. “It’s not something I had growing up, and it warms my heart to see their eyes light up.”

With pre-season in full swing, Lewis said the team has their eyes firmly set on the upcoming AFLW season.

“Our target is to go as far as we can go,” Lewis said.

“We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the list, and we’ve got the continuity in our high-performance staff we’re aiming for finals and beyond.”

The Eagles’ AFL side takes on North Melbourne this Sunday in Bunbury, with plenty of excitement building among the local footy community.