Under fire footy club dumps player convicted of sexual offence against a child and apologises to victim

A footy club under fire for re-signing a player convicted of a sexual offence against a child has dumped him and apologised to his victim.

Tyrendarra Football Netball Club was slammed for re-signing James “Jimmy” Nicholas Williams in October and announcing the move in a glowing Instagram post.

Mr Williams pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl inside Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall during an end-of-year footy trip in September 2022. He spent 14 months behind bars.

In an announcement overnight, the club acknowledged recent media reports played a part in Mr Williams’ axing.

“A former player convicted of a sexual offence against a child was allowed to return to our Club. That decision was wrong, and we are sorry. It was not consistent with what our wider community expects,” a statement from the club’s embattled committee read.

“That player is no longer part of the Club and will not return.”

The club apologised to Mr Williams’ victim and to all survivors of sexual violence and said the player’s return followed a “careful process” with external expert advice and wide consultation across the club, including from parents of younger team members.

“We accept we did not give enough weight to what our community rightly expects of a Club built around children, and those we let down deserve a straightforward apology,” the club said.

The club said it’s introducing a binding code of conduct, stronger child-safety oversight and “ongoing education” on “respectful relationships and the prevention of gendered violence” as well as carrying out a governance and risk review.

‘A staggering failure’

Andrew Carpenter, from Websters Lawyers, accused the club of putting the reputation and participation of a convicted child sex offender ahead of safety and concerns of the very people who make up the club’s community.

He said the fact female players felt compelled to leave “speaks volumes”.

“Even more disturbing was the club’s attempt to celebrate his return, describing him as ‘classy’ and the type of player who ‘lifts the team’. Those words may be appropriate for discussing football ability, but they demonstrate a staggering failure to recognise the gravity of crimes committed against a child,” he told news.com.au

He added: “The club’s actions sent a message that football mattered more than accountability, and that retaining one player was more important than retaining the trust of women and girls in the community.

“The club should consider adding a soccer team as their conduct is the most spectacular own goal we have seen in recent memory.”

He called on the AFL to take a stand against the “appalling” conduct of clubs that harbour child sex offenders. He said the failure to tackle Mr Williams’ case “shows a strong sign that the AFL’s safeguarding policies are nothing more than a toothless tiger”.

It comes as the ABC reported female players are now deserting the club.

Mr Williams was intoxicated when he approached the schoolgirl at a concert in Adelaide’s CBD and asked for her Snapchat. He then began kissing her and forced his hand underneath her skirt, according to multiple media reports.

The victim repeatedly begged him to stop, but Mr Williams continued the sexual assault, until the girl’s mother noticed and intervened.

He was booted out by security and bragged to a friend he had been kicked out because he “f*****ed a bird hahaha”.

He eventually pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 17 and was sentenced in 2024 to 14 months in jail, with a six-month non-parole period.

The announcement

Tyrendarra announced Mr Williams’ re-signing in an Instagram post last October.

“Jimmy Williams is back for 2026!” the post read.

“A classy midfielder/forward flanker, Jimmy brings speed, toughness, and scoreboard impact every time he pulls on the jumper.

“He’s strong at the contest, clean under pressure, and a genuine threat up front – the kind of player who lifts the team when it matters most.

“Whether it’s a crunch tackle, a burst through traffic, or a goal from the act, Jimmy delivers. “And with another season in the green and gold, we know he’ll be setting the standard again.”

Following intense backlash, the club issued a statement in late May calling on members to “refrain from making comments publicly”.

On June 2, it held a “parents meeting” to provide “factual information and context” about reappointing Mr Williams.

The post and statement appear to have been removed from the club’s website and social media channels.

The AFL has been contacted for comment.

Click here to read article