AUCKLAND teenager Giovanni Mountain-Silbery has become the second international scholarship holder to sign with St Kilda in the past 12 months.
Mountain-Silbery, 16, who recently trialled with NRL club South Sydney Rabbitohs, joins Porirua youngster Joe Baker-Thomas as the Saints' scholarship holders from New Zealand.
The Saints are trying to grow their fan base in New Zealand as well as attempting to unearth a recruiting goldmine.
The Saints signed Baker-Thomas in April last year when they were in Wellington for their Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Swans.
At the time, they pledged they would continue to explore the recruiting pool of New Zealand ahead of their commitment to play in Wellington for the next five seasons.
This week, they confirmed Mountain-Silbery as the latest recipient of a two-year scholarship after identifying his speed, leap and power at the AFLNZ Combine in January.
The teenager recorded 2.97 seconds for a 20m sprint despite his imposing size of 196cm and 96kg.
From a rugby background, the South Auckland athlete represents his school in 100m running, high jump and long jump.
With two years of schooling to go, he will remain in New Zealand for the time being and be developed through both AFLNZ football programs and the Saints Player Academy.
St Kilda has acknowledged Mountain-Silbery is largely unfamiliar with Australian football but have been buoyed by his athletic traits and potential.
"Like most young athletes in New Zealand, Giovanni has had limited exposure to AFL football but his power and athleticism provide a solid foundation on which to develop in the future," head of football Chris Pelchen said.
"We know there are some outstanding athletes in New Zealand and we have been encouraged by the recent signings of Joe Baker-Thomas last year and now Giovanni in 2014."
Mountain-Silbery recently met new Saints' recruit Shane Savage, who was born in New Zealand, when the club visited the country to promote next month's clash with the Brisbane Lions.
"I'm pretty stoked and excited," Mountain-Silbery said.
"This whole opportunity is massive. It's a new experience for me and my family and I'm just really excited to take it as it comes and get the ball rolling."
In April last year, Pelchen said bigger players were more likely to benefit from the scholarship program, as those above 190cm generally need to kick the ball less.
However, he said the Saints would look at all types in an attempt to discover a rare gem.
"It's very similar to mining for gold," he said then.
"Ultimately, unless you start prospecting you don't find the golden nugget."
Mountain-Silbery attends the same college as Hawthorn international scholarship holder Siope Ngata.
The Hawks recently unveiled Kiwi Kurt Heatherley, who has been added to their rookie list after coming through their scholarship program, in the NAB Challenge.
