Source: www.ttrfu.com
Lewis who represented Trinidad and Tobago at under 19 rugby described his expereince at the English championship division club as "absolutely fantastic". “ My game understanding, technique, skill and fitness improved . I was out of my comfort zone-away from my family , friends and sunshine, I had to prove myself,the training sessions were intense and physical, the contest for a place in the team was competitive. The cold weather took some getting use to .I certainly returned to Trinidad a more mature ,mentally tougher , highly motivated and confident rugby player. I can't thank Mr Schmid (Director of Rugby), Mr Chalcraft(Academy coach) and the other coaches enough. Mr Schmid gave me the opportunity. I went to Esher following a one month stay with Penarth rugby club in Cardiff, Wales. " "The culture in the club house and the dressing room is one of striving for excellence. As an academy player you can't help but be inspired and motivated to want to one day play for the first team.The senior players were willing to give you advice. I learned a lot about myself and my passion for the game. Mr Chalcraft provided me with detailed feedback about exactly what I have to work on . Hard work,discipline,character,,self belief and dedication were some of the key messages that were instilled. Esher changed my attitude, outlook and approach to the game." A past student of Mucurapo Junior Secondary school and Fatima College in Port. Of. Spain .Lewis is a former T&T Taekwondo champion and national under 14 doubles (tennis) winner who also played football in the T&T professional football league youth system with Defence Force. The former T&T Olympic youth camper was an unused replacement for T&T's recent Caribbean Championship outing against Barbados (T&T won 17-10 ) but made his senior team debut in the second half of T&T's 22-20 loss to Guyana last Saturday. “As a little boy you dream about playing for your country so I was excited about my senior team run on debut but the loss and the fact that we disappointed our supporters was tough to swallow. We were the defending Caribbean champs but Guyana dented our hopes of retaining our title..20-12 up with eight minutes left. Playing at home with a cheering crowd and they (Guyana) fight back to win 22-20. Not a nice feeling at all. " The 21 year old Harvard club centre told ttrfu.com that he intends to build on his Esher rugby academy experience. " It is up to me to do the hard work..One objective is to establish myself on the national senior team and the other is to play professional rugby in the UK or France. Esher has opened my eyes to the possibilities and given me the self confdience to push myself to be the best that I can be. "
Aasan Lewis credits a three month training stay at the Esher Rugby Club Academy in Surrey, England for the improvement in his rugby that earned him a call up from the Trinidad and Tobago development squad to the national senior team.