https://www.wba.co.uk/news/national-league-cup-preview-dagenham-redbridge-present-next-challenge-young-baggiesNew Zealand’s victorious U20 OFC Championship campaign wasn’t the only good news for new Albion shot-stopper Joe Wallis during the summer.
A phone call from his hotel room in Samoa, where the tournament was being hosted, prompted the Kiwi youth international to drop everything for a shot at signing for a professional team in England.
30 hours of travelling, and a successful trial later, Joe achieved his dream of joining an English club by penning a two-year deal with the Baggies in September.
Since becoming a part of Richard Beale’s PL2 team, Wallis has played three matches - with his most notable contribution coming against Chelsea in a 2-1 away win.
The 19-year-old was involved in Albion’s first National League Cup game against Ebbsfleet, and it wasn’t the first taste of senior football in the keeper’s career having already played against men for New Auckland City back home.
Joe’s hopes more of those experiences will come during his time in B71, as he describes his switch from New Zealand to the Black Country.
An action shot of Albion u21 goalkeeper Joe Wallis, wearing the 2024/25 yellow goalkeeper kit
Wallis in action v Man City in the Premier League 2
Starting with how his move to The Hawthorns transpired, Joe said: “I was sitting on my bed in Samoa with the U20 New Zealand team - we were doing our OFC qualifiers there - when I got a phone call from my old goalkeeper coach about some interest in me from a few clubs in the UK.
“He said the agent had sorted a few things out for me to go over and trial and asked if I wanted to go. I was shocked, but I got off my bed, rang my mum and dad and said I could go and trial for some clubs which, at the time, I didn’t know who they were.
“But me and my family decided to go for it and found out West Brom was the main club that was interested. So I got back from the qualifiers, packed my stuff, flew to the UK - literally 30 hours worth of travel - got settled in with a host family for my trial and it went well.
“This was around July/August so I played in an 18s game, a 21s match in pre-season, and then Boaz Myhill called me on the bus back from Leicester saying they wanted to sign me. That’s how it all came about so it’s an interesting story and I’m happy to be at this club.
“My old goalkeeping coach was Eñaut Zubikarai, and he’d played against some of the best players in the world for Real Sociedad during his career.
“The likes of Messi, Ronaldo, so his experiences really helped develop my technique. I must’ve been about 13/14 at my grassroots club in Auckland, Western Springs, when I met him.
"Eñaut had his eye out for talent back then, watched me from the sides and then a few years later when I was 17, he signed me up to his club, New Auckland City.
A photo of former Real Sociedad goalkeeper Eñaut Zubikarai
Former Real Socidedad keeper Eñaut Zubikarai (above in action against Dani Alves) was Wallis' coach at New Aukland City
“I made my first-team debut there and it’s hard to compare the levels there to here, but we had experienced players there who’d played overseas and it was a good test for me. Everyone pushed me and they set me up to come here.
“We won the OFC Men’s Championship in the summer. I played once at the end of the group stages, and we beat Papa New Guinea 10-0. It was just great to get my debut for my country.
"We have the U20 World Cup in Chile coming up. It’s one of my goals to make that squad and compete, and just play as many games as I can.
“Ultimately, though, it’s about playing at the highest level possible and I hope Albion can help me do this and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.
“Boaz has a lot of experience and has been really helpful with the details, giving me playlists to watch after matches, so he’s been really beneficial for me and hopefully there’s a lot more to come.
A photo of Albion U21 goalkeeping coach Boaz Myhill
Albion's Lead PDP goalkeeping coach Boaz Myhill
“I was lucky to have played some men’s football while I was at home in New Zealand and since Auckland City were high in that league, some teams we’d play against would be good on the ball but make it hard for you with plenty of crosses and direct play.
“But, the National League is a very high level. They know how to play and we have to be ready for the men, who are proper footballers and we're excited for the challenge.
“We’ve got to do our best and gain little things from playing against these players who’ve played throughout the leagues during their careers. It’s about learning, giving them a good battle and trying to progress to the next level.
"I want to take my time here, get used to the country, the football here and hopefully push on while growing as a player and a person.”