Bio
Former Socceroo and SBS Chief Football Analyst, Craig Foster, has played an integral role in presenting football on the network. He remains a valuable member of SBS's weekly football program, The World Game and is a columnist on the accompanying website of the same name.
Craig's on-air duties also include a regular analyst spot on the network's coverage of the UEFA Champions League, including a co-hosting role with Les Murray on the UEFA Champions League Hour wrap-up show. He also provides analysis for other major football events, including the FA Cup Final and UEFA Cup Final.
Craig can also be seen presenting Sport for World News Australia, Sunday through to Thursday evenings.
Craig was an integral part of the network's expert on-air team at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, which delivered record-breaking audience numbers. In perhaps his toughest challenge to date, Craig signed on as coach for the series two of Nerds FC, a SBS Independent initiative, which saw him convert a team of uncoordinated klutzes into football champions.
As a player, Craig started his football career with National Soccer League clubs Adelaide City and Marconi Fairfield and also played for English sides, Portsmouth and Crystal Palace.
He made 29 appearances as a Socceroo, once as captain, and continued his leadership streak as club captain at Crystal Palace FC in the UK and skipper of the National Soccer League side, Northern Spirit FC.
Craig has been a strong advocate for player's rights, having served for five years on the PFA (Players Association) Executive, as a Director of the PFA's commercial wing, PFAM (PFA Management), and formerly as Chief Executive of the Player's Association. Craig remains a life member of the PFA and a member of the PFA Technical Committee.
In 2007, Craig received a great honour when he was invited as the Australian representative to judge the prestigious Ballon d'Or, the highest award given to an individual European footballer.
In 2008, Craig was invited by the Australia Day Council to undertake a role as an Australia Day Ambassador.
Craig is a Director of COALAR, the Council of Australia Latin America Relations through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and is an Ambassador for numerous charities and football social programs.
He is also founder of the Asia Pacific Football Institute (APFI), an initiative with Southern Cross University, Lismore, to provide outstanding academic football courses, research and player and coach development programs to raise the standard of Australian football in all aspects necessary for Australia to succeed on the world stage.
In April, 2011, Craig founded the 'Harmony Game' as part of the Commonwealth Government's Harmony Day initiative to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism.
The Harmony Game was played by over 100 primary schools around Australia in its first year, and utilized the world game to teach kids the importance of diversity and acceptance.