Hot on the heels of a media release from the PFA confirming that they nominated Craig Foster and Heather Reid for the FFA Board, Foster has issued his own statement outlining his positioning for a Board position with his eyes firmly focussed on “so many amazing contributors” to the sport with knowledge and experience.
“It is a privilege to have been asked to serve the game. It is time to believe in our game and the great people we have within football,” Foster said.
“All who love the game have a right to be a part of the journey to which so many have contributed – fans, players, volunteers, referees, coaches and administrators. No one should be left behind, or left out. In particular, our fans are crying out to be given a voice and to participate in the game they love.”
Foster, 49, who is a former Chairman and CEO of the PFA has been a vocal and passionate face of the game with SBS-TV for more than 14 years.
He said that he also wanted to have “a conversation around nation building” by sharing the dream of Johnny Warren – to not just play in World Cup tournaments, but win them, for men and women.
“That’s a dream I want the football community and all of Australia to share and to be inspired by.
“The purpose of the FFA Board is to serve as custodians of the game, as enablers of the community’s passion and to align everyone’s energy to the good of the game.”
Foster said that he has undertaken to resign from his role with Southern Expansion if elected, and ensure that none of his multiple roles within football interferes with his duties as a FFA director.
As well as his role with SBS television, Foster is a member of the Australian Multicultural Council and an ambassador for John Moriarty Football and Football United, social programs using football to promote education and health outcomes among children in remote and refugee communities.
Late on Friday afternoon, The Australian reported that there are 15 candidates who have been nominated for the Board, including the man previously mooted to be the Chairman, former Senator Stephen Conroy, who is now CEO of 'Responsible Wagering Australia', an organisation funded by the gambling industry.
In the morning's press (referenced here), eight people were believed to have nominated with seven of them named.
One other nominee named by The Australian is the Chief Financial Officer of Lachlan Murdoch's private investment company, Illyria, Linda Norquay who is said to be a “mad fan of Sydney FC”.
As well as Foster and Reid, Conroy and Norquay join Joseph Carrozzi, Judith Griggs, Danny Moulis, Chris Nikou and Remo Nogarotto as nominees with a further six yet to be revealed, if The Australian's report of Friday afternoon is accurate.