Referee Frank Foster Keeps Active at 93 Thanks to Healthy Habits

Frank Foster, a 93-year-old referee, continues to officiate soccer matches, showing remarkable stamina and agility. He runs the field three times a week for his local soccer association. Foster has refereed approximately 5,500 games over his 46-year career. His longevity and endurance are owed to a lifetime of healthy habits and a solid diet.

Foster attributes his fitness to the wartime rations he consumed as a teenager. These rations ensured he grew up on healthy food rather than indulgent sweets and cakes.

His game-day nutrition remains crucial. His morning routine includes oatmeal, cereal, or marmalade on toast to maintain his energy for a full ninety-minute match. This diet helps him referee games for men, women, and children, a hobby he’s dedicated to without plans to retire.

Frank Foster began refereeing in 1980. His sharp mind and commanding presence remain strong on the field. A veteran who excelled in his 1980 referee exam with a 98 percent score, Foster values discipline to manage games.

Foster finds modern referees too lenient, allowing player antics to disrupt the sport. To ensure control, he sets strict rules before the match begins. He does not tolerate intimidation or dramatics on the field, stating, “Those who go down like they have been shot, well I would just book them.” His approach involves authoritative interactions, warning players not to crowd him.

Foster avoids using video replay systems, believing they foster unnecessary aggression over minor calls such as microscopic offsides, which he considers detrimental to the game.

Foster never expected to be officiating at 93. He takes pride in maintaining his equipment, keeping his referee kit neat and Adidas boots clean for each match.

Foster’s story exemplifies the benefits of good nutrition and discipline, traits he has nurtured throughout his life.