Football Queensland is deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of former Chief Executive Officer Geoff Foster.
A trained accountant who grew up in Melbourne and spent most of his working life in manufacturing, Geoff’s involvement with the game began after he relocated his family to Maroochydore to nurse his father-in-law through an illness.
There was a football field near his father-in-law’s home and when Geoff decided to coach his son’s Under 8s team, little did he know it would mark the beginning of a 25-year association with football that would see him eventually become CEO of the state’s governing body.
Within a short space of time Geoff became President of the Maroochydore Football Club, then President of the Sunshine Coast Zone, and after holding Board level positions with Football Queensland including President, in 2007 he became CEO.
During his 11-year tenure at Football Queensland, Geoff oversaw the advanced player pathway and community football in the state including men and women, juniors, and participants involved in all aspects of the game including all abilities, futsal, schools, church, and football played in Indigenous and remote areas.
One of his most valuable contributions to the game in Queensland followed the publication of the Crawford Report as he travelled the state tasked with the objective of delivering on the governance reforms at state level.
Geoff introduced Red Kits in 2007, a successful initiative which saw every Queensland coach receive much-needed resources in the form of a ‘red kit’ to support their training and coaching sessions. In 2013 he introduced Goals 4 Kids, a schools program that reached 100,000 students across the state.
In partnership with Football Australia, Geoff was involved in the Asia Cup in 2015 and oversaw the implementation and rollout of the National Premier Leagues Queensland, bringing consistency to Queensland’s highest-level competition.
In his time as CEO, Football Queensland grew from a team of just five to over 40 employees as Geoff gradually increased the financial stability of the organisation. He also oversaw the state governing body’s move from the temporary building in QSAC to the main stadium, and later to its current home at Meakin Park.
Perhaps Geoff’s biggest legacy following his retirement in 2018, though, was leaving Football Queensland as a financially strong organisation ready to capitalise on the foundations he’d built in his time as CEO, drawing on his background as an accountant.
Geoff was eternally grateful to the sport, having four children himself and watching their participation and the friendships they made through their love of the game. He leaves behind his wife, children and grandchildren.
Throughout his 25 years of service to the game, Geoff firmly believed in adopting two simple philosophies;
Firstly, no matter whatever level of the game’s administration at which you are involved, you are the servant to those members to whom you are responsible.
Secondly, enjoy your involvement regardless of the challenges you may face.
Geoff’s contributions to our game and to our organisation will always be remembered.
