Tamati Andre Williams (born 19 January 1984) is a New Zealand former professional footballer and fashion model. He played as a goalkeeper and made one appearance for the New Zealand national team.

Tamati Williams
Williams with New Zealand in 2017
Personal information
Full name Tamati Andre Williams[1]
Date of birth (1984-01-19) 19 January 1984 (age 40)[1]
Place of birth Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand[2]
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Football Kingz
2004–2005 Waikato
2005–2007 University-Mount Wellington
2007–2008 Auckland City 18 (0)
2008–2011 Forrest Hill Milford
2011–2015 Auckland City 48 (0)
2016–2017 RKC Waalwijk 42 (0)
2017 AaB 0 (0)
International career
New Zealand U17
New Zealand U20
New Zealand U23
2014 New Zealand 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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After unsuccessful trials with Blackburn Rovers and Stockport County in England at the age of 18, Williams began his club career with Football Kingz FC in their final season in the now-defunct National Soccer League.[3] After a period with ASB Premiership side Waikato FC, Williams played one season for Auckland City in 2007 before temporarily retiring from football to work as a fashion model.[4]

Williams joined Danish Superliga club AaB in summer 2017.[5] He served as a backup to Jacob Rinne, while Michael Lansing was out with an injury.[5] He left the club at the end of the year.[5]

International career

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Williams represented New Zealand at the under-17, under-20, and under-23 Olympic levels.[3] He made his debut as a full international against South Africa, when he replaced his colleague Glen Moss as a second-half substitute.[6][7]

Modeling career

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As a fashion model, Williams has represented brands such as Calvin Klein and Esprit, and has worked in the United States, France, Italy, and Australia.[3][8] In 2007, he was featured on an episode of America's Next Top Model, appearing in a beach photo with Cycle 8 winner Jaslene Gonzalez.[9] He is represented by the agencies Red11 in Auckland, and Chic Management in Sydney.[10]

Personal life

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Williams was born in Dunedin, and lived for a period in his childhood in Whangārei.[8] His father played rugby union for Otago.[11] As of 2014, Williams was studying for a postgraduate diploma in zoology and conservation biology.[4][8]

He is of Māori descent,[12] and holds a Dutch passport through a grandparent.[8]

Honours

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Uni-Mount Wellington

Auckland City

References

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  1. ^ a b c "FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012 presented by Toyota: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 29 November 2012. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Profile Information – Tamati Williams". www.aucklandcityfc.com/. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Brown, Michael (8 January 2006). "Tamati Williams is more than just a pretty face". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b Holloway, Steven (17 May 2014). "Pro dream on line for veteran goalkeeper". Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Nøhr, Mikkel (8 December 2017). "AaB siger farvel til reservekeeper" [AaB says goodbye to reserve keeper]. Bold (in Danish). Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  6. ^ "All Whites, South Africa draw blank". Oceania Football Confederation. New Zealand Football Media. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  7. ^ "New Zealand vs. South Africa - 30 May 2014 - Soccerway". soccerway.com. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d Rattue, Chris (23 August 2014). "Williams keeps eye on professional career prize". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Auckland goalie doubles as pro model". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax Media Digital. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  10. ^ Prins, Celine (19 August 2014). "Interview with Fashion Model & Soccer Player Tamati Williams". Modellist-ID. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  11. ^ Mabley, Ben (8 December 2012). "Williams a model keeper". Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Tamati Williams Saves for Auckland City". Māori Sports Awards. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
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