“Like any father,they think in a lot of ways that I’m pretty hopeless,so they start talking about the things I can’t do – how bad I am at cooking and the gardening that doesn’t happen,” Foster said.
For Foster,Fathers’ Day and his award,which comes courtesy of the Fathering Project,is less about him,and more about the conversation it can spark.
Craig Foster with his daughters and five young Afghan women who he helped escape from Kabul. From left:Madina,Hosna,Frishta,Foster’s daughter Jemma,Foster,his other daughter Charlie,Lida and Sahila.Janie Barrett
“It’s to place a focus on the importance of male role models,whether they’re biological fathers or single fathers,blended families,or the myriad of ways that adult males impact young lives,” he said.
Foster,also known as Fozz or Fozzy,has three children. His son,24,is currently in Italy with his girlfriend,while his two daughters,aged 22 and 15,are still at the family home in Sydney’s east.
He also tries to be a positive influence on the many young men and women he comes into contact with as an elite football coach and through Indigenous football programs.
‘There’s different culture,different ways of thinking,a different religion,and yet they’re still just young girls who are trying to find their way in the world.’
Craig Foster
But he has won the award because of his community work,most recently as a mentor and father figure for a group of 15 young Afghan women he helped escape Taliban rule after the fall of Kabul last year.
The young women,who range from their late teens to early 20s like his daughters,have become close to Foster and his family.
“They’ve settled here now and they’re all moving on with their lives and they’re constantly in contact,so we just provide them every support that we possibly can,” Foster said.
“They’re the same as my daughters – there’s different culture,different ways of thinking,a different religion,and yet they’re still just young girls who are trying to find their way in the world,who want to be safe and want to be near their family,and who need people around them who care for them and will provide them guidance.”
Craig Foster at home in Sydney with five young Afghan women who have become friends of the family. From left:Sahila,Frishta,Foster,Hosna,Lida and Madina.Janie Barrett
Foster said he was blessed to have positive male role models when he was growing up and to be able to be around for his own family while juggling his sporting career.
Professor Donna Cross at the Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia said research suggests most fathers want to do their best for their children,but were often not sure of what that looked like,not having had role models of contemporary fathering in their own lives.
“There are very stereotypical behaviours that have been associated with fathers being a disciplinarian or a breadwinner but what Craig is being recognised for,and what this award really draws attention to,is that fathers have a critical role in being caregivers and role models to support children’s development,” Cross said.
Cross said there was “extraordinary evidence” that fathers and father figures who were consistently involved and engaged had a huge impact on children’s social development,academic achievement and cognitive development,and overall wellbeing,including physical health,exercise habits,body weight and alcohol and drug use.
Cross said children benefit from as many adult role models as possible.