And he certainly will be much better prepared than he was six years ago, when he last represented his country.

Thomas, 17, who has just completed his HSC at Colo High School, will head to the Russian city of St Petersburg in November to wear the green and gold at the World Tramp- oline Championships.

It's been a long road back to the national team for the then eight-year-old boy who was so enamoured by Jai Wallace's silver medal-winning effort at the Sydney Olympics that he took up the sport almost immediately and first represented Australia in Germany three years later.

On that occasion Thomas finished 36th in the individual trampoline, 25th in the double mini and unclassifield in synchronised when he partner crashed during their routine.

But, having prepared for the world titles by winning the double mini and synchronised events at the Australian titles in Adelaide this month and finishing eighth in the individual when he crashed in the final while leading, he said he was looking to make his mark on the international stage.

"I've matured a lot since then ? I was 11 when I went to Germany, so it was a lot more daunting back then, and I'll be better prepared," Thomas, who trains at Ingleburn RSL Youth Gymnastics and Trampoline Club, said.

"I'd like to make the finals of my classes, but I'm not sure if that will be top eight or top 12.

"I started when I was 8 or 9 after the Sydney Olympics - I enjoyed watching Jai Wallace win the medal and took it up from there."

Thomas kicked off what has become the biggest year of his career in January when he won a silver medal in the synchro against international competition at the Australian Youth Olympics, and he went on with the job through a series of qualifiers in which he had to accumulate enough points to make the world titles team.

"My strongest apparatus would be individual tramp, I enjoy double mini but it's really just a bit of fun, I don't take it that seriously, the same as synchro," he said.

"My biggest achievement was the silver we got for synchro at Youth Olympics. I've had a few national titles, which are a pretty big achievement, and I was stoked to come home with another two in Adelaide for synchro and double mini."

Thomas is about two thirds of the way to raising the money he needs to make the trip, with his departure set down for November 12.

Anybody wishing to sponsor his bid for a world title can call him on 0413 844 823.