World Footy News

In a recent announcement, St Kilda's New Zealand international scholarship holder Joe Baker-Thomas will relocate to Melbourne from his home town of Porirua City in Wellington in early 2014.

Since being signed with the Saints in April this year, the 17-year-old has been based in Wellington undertaking an AFL development program implemented by St Kilda, and supported by AFL New Zealand.
 
 “Joe has come a long way in a short space of time considering he wasn't even aware of the AFL 12 months ago.  He has progressed significantly with his football skills and we hope to build on this development through his training in the Saints Player Academy program in 2014,” said St Kilda Head of Football, Chris Pelchen.
  
 

 Baker-Thomas underwent his final year of schooling this year, residing in Wellington, while undertaking one-on-one training with AFL New Zealand coach Shannon Wall.
 
 In August Joe also spent ten days at St Kilda’s home base at the Linen House Centre in Melbourne to get a better appreciation of the demands of AFL football and life as a professional athlete.  Joe will officially relocate to Melbourne in early February 2014.
   
 "We're very ambitious for our plans in New Zealand and we aim to have 5,000 NZ members in the next three years," Pelchen said. "The support we have received from the Wellington City Council and the overall growth of AFL in this country has been outstanding."