Craig Foster AM

Following a decorated football career as Australia’s 419th Socceroo and 40th Captain, Craig Foster has become one of Australia’s most respected sports people as a broadcaster, social justice advocate and human rights campaigner.

With 29 caps for the Socceroos including as the 40th National Captain, Craig played for historic Australian clubs and was Captain of Crystal Palace FC in England.

A veteran of a 20+ year broadcast career with SBS television, part of the triple Logie-winning SBS World Cup football coverage and now covering the world game with Stan Australia.

Well known for his human rights advocacy, his high-profile campaigns include rescuing a young Bahraini refugee from a Thai prison, captured in the book “Fighting for Hakeem” and the documentary film “The Defenders” on Amazon Prime.

Craig also helped many Afghan women and girls to flee the Taliban in 2021 including the Afghan women’s National football team and a group of 15 young girls. This story was captured in the online, award-winning film, ‘Die or Die Trying: Escaping the Taliban’ and led the successful ‘Game Over’ campaign with Amnesty Australia to free hundreds of refugees trapped in Australia’s offshore detention regime.

He is a Member of the Order of Australia for services to multiculturalism, sport and refugees, the Australian Football Hall of Fame, served as Chair of the Australian player’s association where he led the push for gender equality, as Chair and Co-Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, was formerly Australian Father of the Year and NSW Australian of the Year, is the face of various anti-racism campaigns, an outspoken and committed advocate for multiculturalism and Member of the Australian Multicultural Council under the Department of Home Affairs.

An author and speaker, Craig holds a Master’s in Sports Administration, a Bachelor of Laws, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Wollongong.