ST KILDA’S Joe Baker-Thomas has been nominated for Wellington’s Emerging Sportsman of the Year award.

The 18-year-old, who is one of two international rookies on the Saints books, was drafted by the club 12 months ago and has spent the summer and early parts of the season working closely with St Kilda’s coaches and playing VFL reserves.

“It is a huge honour for me to be nominated for this prestigious award,” Baker-Thomas said.

“It wasn’t so long ago that Australian football was a foreign concept to me but my journey with St Kilda over the past year has been a wonderful experience and I am doing everything I can to make the most of this opportunity.”

Baker-Thomas has represented New Zealand at Under 16s, Under 18s and Senior levels in Australian Rules Football and has developed considerably under the watchful eye of St Kilda’s development coaches, according to the club’s general manager of player list and legal affairs Ameet Bains.

“Joe has significantly developed as a footballer since St Kilda recruited him as an international scholarship holder in April, 2013. He has come a long way in terms of building his skill set and physicality and has shown plenty of promise in adapting to Australian football.”

Nominees must reside in the Wellington Region, represent a Wellington-based sports team or be widely regarded as a Wellingtonian.
The event, which is sponsored by the Dominion Post, will be held at TSB Bank Arena on Thursday, June 12.

The other finalists are:
Kurtis Imrie (Surf Life Saving)
Izayah Mauriohooho Le’afa (Basketball)
Ben Walsh (Swimming)

This nomination further strengthens St Kilda’s relationship with the City of Wellington following Anzac Day games in 2013 and 2014.