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Rees signs with Clive Palmer's FA

5th March, 2012
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Veteran Gold Coast defender Kristian Rees has taken a job as player relations officer with mining magnate Clive Palmer’s new Football Australia (FA) body.

Rees accepted the job after declining a contract offer from Football Federation Australia to play out the remainder of the season in the wake of FFA revoking club owner Palmer’s A-League licence last week.

He did not travel with the rest of the young United team to Wellington for Sunday’s 2-0 A-League loss to the Phoenix.

“An offer was made to me in regard to this new role and it’s one that I’ve been very happy to accept,” said Rees in a FA statement.

He’ll start next week with FA, which was set up last week by Palmer after losing his A-League licence with the stated intent of being a FFA watchdog and think tank for Australian football.

“I’m looking to the future and I think what Football Australia has planned so far is going to be a good thing for the game in this country.

“It’s early days and I’m sure the role will evolve as issues are presented to us from players all around the country.”

“The aim is to make the game better for everyone who is involved in it and, to do that, they must all have a voice.

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“Whatever the issues are, we aim to tackle them head on.”

FA director Clive Mensink said Rees would be a valuable asset.

“Kristian has a rich history in the game and great experience as a player,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with him to identify concerns and ideas from players all over the country,” said Mensink.

“We envisage the scope of the role will include working with football players across the entire football community, from grassroots upwards.”

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