Craig Forster - Father of the Year

CRAIG FOSTER (FOZZY) NAMED AUSTRALIAN FATHER OF THE YEAR

Kicking Goals for Fathering this Father’s Day

Australian sporting personality Craig Foster (Fozzy) was announced as the Australian Father of the Year honouring his role as a father, sporting figure, youth mentor, coach and a father figure to vulnerable refugees.

The awards held in Sydney at the TAG Foundation Grandstand, shone a light on the critical role of fathering in the lead-up to Father’s Day by honouring “fathers” who have contributed to family, community and youth. Presented by The Fathering Project, a not-for-profit organisation focused on giving a child the best life possible through better fathering, the awards compered by Adam Liaw included a keynote address by Maggie Dent, well-known Australian parenting author, educator and podcaster who has worked for over 40 years in schools and communities, and commentary by Maurice Newman AC, chair of the Australian Father’s Day Council.

Award recipient Craig Foster ( Fozzy) said, "As our First Nations say, taking care of a child is 'everyone's business' and together we all impact children and youth around us across all cultural or other boundaries through the power of our words and actions. Male role models, whether fathers, teachers, sport coaches or mentors have a deep responsibility to care for and protect young people over who they exert such power. Together we can raise respectful males, young Australians who reject racism and love our cultural diversity, and young women capable of smashing gender barriers.

Parenting presents a vast number of challenges for all of us, and The Fathering Project provides a space for males to be present in their child’s life, develop deeper relationships and support their children's growth. It also provides tools to break negative behavioural cycles and build stronger relationships that have such a profound impact on young people. Heading into Father's Day 2022, my message to all fathers and males positively impacting young lives”.

This year, the Australian Father of the Year awards also included three new categories nominated by community members which included: Australian Community Father of the Year, Rick Pekan from Western Australia, Australian Sporting Father of the Year was Isaac Thomas from Western Australia, and Australia’s Best Workplace for Fathers was KPMG.

About The Fathering Project

The Fathering Project is a national charity that transforms children’s lives by educating, supporting and empowering Dads. Research shows children with an engaged father or father figure have significantly better social, mental, physical and academic outcomes.

Read more at www.thefatheringproject.org

In the lead-up to Father’s Day 2022, this is a critical award that reflects on the important role fathers, mentors and father figures play in a young person’s life: the science behind fathering, did you know?

- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average.

- 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centres come from fatherless homes – 10 times the average.

- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes – 5 times the average.

- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.