Kristian Rees
Kristian Rees | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 6, 1980 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Professional footballer, politician |
| Known for | Central defender for Adelaide United; United Australia Party candidate |
Kristian Rees (born 6 January 1980 in Adelaide, South Australia) is an Australian professional footballer who occupies the position of a central defender.
Club career
Rees began his professional journey in the NSL with Adelaide City. He was a member of the Adelaide United squad that secured the minor premiership in the 2005/06 season and finished as runners-up in 2006/07. During the inaugural seasons of the Hyundai A-League, he represented Adelaide United, including participation in their first-ever Asian Champions League campaign.
Unexpectedly released after the 2006/07 season, Rees signed with the VPL side Whittlesea Zebras, where he played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the Grand Final. Despite joining midway through the season, he was honored with the Club Best & Fairest Award. He also scored during the Grand Final and earned selection for the Victorian State Team's tour of China, although professional obligations prevented him from taking part.
On 13 November 2007, Rees secured a contract with A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix, reuniting with Ross Aloisi, former captain of Adelaide United. Following the conclusion of the 2007-08 campaign, contract discussions fell through, and he turned down an offer from Chinese Super League club Liaoning FC. Subsequently, he returned to Adelaide City, joining forces once again with teammate Damian Mori.
Rees committed to a two-year deal with Gold Coast United on 3 December 2008. He wrapped up his playing career at Palm Beach SC, where he made significant contributions during the FFA Cup, playing alongside ex-Wellington Phoenix colleague Karl Dodd. Later, he was briefly enticed out of retirement by the Sharks.
Political career
Rees is affiliated with the United Australia Party (previously known as Palmer United Party), a right-leaning political organization established in 2013 by Clive Palmer, a billionaire mining entrepreneur. Palmer also owned Gold Coast United FC during Rees’s tenure before the club exited the A-League in 2012 after Palmer’s license was revoked by the Football Federation Australia.
In his political pursuits, Rees stood as the party's candidate for the Division of Grey at the 2013 Australian federal election and led the Senate ticket for South Australia in 2016. Additionally, he contested the Currumbin electorate during Queensland's state election in 2015.
He once more headed the party’s Senate ticket for South Australia in 2019 and was appointed to the United Australia Party frontbench as Shadow Minister for Community Services.
Honours
With Adelaide United:
- Australia A-League Premiership: 2005–06