Sport Award: The 2025 nominees

François-Xavier Bonnaillie (QLD) is a seasoned global commercial and marketing executive, currently serving as the Chief Commercial Officer for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. His appointment was announced in August 2024, following his tenure as Senior Director of Partnerships and Licensing for the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, where he played a pivotal role in securing over \$1.25 billion in sponsorships, including significant contributions from luxury brand LVMH. Prior to his involvement with the Olympic Games, Bonnaillie spent nearly 25 years at Procter & Gamble, holding various senior global commercial and marketing positions, which provided him with extensive experience in brand management and strategic partnerships In his current role, Bonnaillie is tasked with leading the commercial strategy for Brisbane 2032, aiming to generate over \$2 billion in sponsorship revenue to ensure the financial success and sustainability of the Games. He is responsible for overseeing all revenue generation streams, including sponsorships, licensing, and philanthropy. Bonnaillie's extensive experience and proven track record in securing major sponsorships are expected to be instrumental in achieving the ambitious financial goals set for Brisbane 2032.

Grace Brown is an Australian road cyclist and multiple-champion time-trial specialist, known internationally for her performances at major championships. She first took up cycling in her early twenties, after a background in cross-country running, and quickly progressed into national and international competition. Her list of achievements includes four Australian National Time Trial Championships, Commonwealth Games gold, and multiple world championship medals. In 2024 she won gold in the Women’s Individual Time Trial at the Paris Olympics, and later in that year she claimed the world time trial title as well. Grace is affiliated with the St Kilda Cycling Club in Victoria and has earned recognition for her strength, consistency, and tactical skill. Outside the bike, she serves as President of The Cyclists’ Alliance and has ventured into broadcasting and commentary. While not French by nationality, Grace Brown’s gold medal in Paris and the fact that she is currently running for the FDJ Nouvelle Acquitaine team connect her deeply to French roads and audiences, giving her a special resonance in Franco-Australian sporting contexts.

Pascal Giraud (NSW) is a French-born swimming coach and Physical Education teacher at Lycée Condorcet Sydney, the International French School of Sydney. Originally from France, Pascal has made his home in Australia and brought with him French training philosophies and commitment to sports excellence, which have deeply influenced the school’s swim program. Pascal has played a central role in leading the Lycée Condorcet swimming squads to remarkable success. In 2025, under his coaching, the swimmers won their sixth straight Asia-Pacific Championship of French-speaking Schools (CAPN / AEFE competition). His passion for the sport, rigorous coaching standards, and ability to motivate young athletes have been key to sustaining this winning streak. His methodology combines early skill development, strong technical foundations, and regular competition, which echoes the traditions of French swim coaching, while adapting to the Australian environment. He works not only to build athletic performance, but also character, discipline, and a sense of pride for students representing a French international context in Australia. Pascal is a bridge between French and Australian sporting cultures: fluent in French, operating in a French international school, following AEFE / Lycée Condorcet standards, and engaging in regional competitions among French schools across Asia-Pacific. His coaching contributions reflect both the legacy of French aquatic pedigree and the opportunity of sport to foster connection, excellence, and identity abroad.

Enzo Griffier is a young French rugby league player from Salon-de-Provence, France. At just 18 years old, he has already made significant strides in his career, notably joining the Sydney Roosters in Australia. His first season with the Roosters has been marked by notable progress in defense and a solid understanding of the tactical principles required to compete at a high level. Trained at RC Salon XIII, Enzo quickly caught the attention of Australian recruiters thanks to his impressive performances. He made his debut with the Roosters U19 team as a starting centre, scoring a try in his first match against the Bulldogs. His dedication and hard work have helped him secure a place in this prestigious squad. Enzo has also represented France at the U17 level, playing in a match against Serbia, which strengthened his international profile. His goal is clear: to continue developing and eventually play at the highest level, with the ambition of competing in the Super League in the coming years. Today, Enzo Griffier embodies the passion, determination, and ambition of a young French talent ready to make his mark on Australian fields while proudly representing France on the international rugby league stage.

Renton Millar (VIC) is an Australian skateboarder, judge, and industry leader whose career spans more than three decades of competition, advocacy, and innovation in the global skateboarding community. Beginning his journey in 1987, Renton rose to international prominence as a professional skateboarder, competing worldwide and earning long-term sponsorships with iconic brands such as Globe, Oakley, Billabong, and Think Skateboards. For over 16 years, he made his living riding professionally, while also contributing to the growth and visibility of skateboarding in Australia and beyond. Transitioning from competition to leadership, Renton founded Shredability in 2013, a company dedicated to growing skateboarding from grassroots to elite levels. Through workshops, skatepark activations, contests, and collaborations with major brands, Shredability has become a vital platform for nurturing new talent and strengthening local skateboarding culture. Renton has also played a pivotal role in skateboarding governance. As Chairman of the Australian Skateboarding Federation (2018–2022) and Executive Board Member (2014–2022), he championed the development of pathways from grassroots to professional levels and advocated for skateboarding as a recognized and respected sport in Australia. Internationally, he represented Oceania at the International Skateboarding Federation for nearly a decade, contributing to the sport’s global growth. A defining moment of his career came with skateboarding’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. Renton was a member of the World Skate Technical Committee (2018–2021), helping shape the framework for Olympic competition, and served as a Judge and International Technical Official at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the inaugural park discipline. Today, he continues his Olympic involvement as Head Judge for World Skate Park Discipline and as part of the International Skateboarding Judging Commission, developing and reviewing regulations that ensure fair and professional competition worldwide.

Cassiel Emmanuel Rousseau (QLD) has emerged as one of Australia’s premier divers, achieving international honours after a relatively late switch from acrobatic gymnastics in 2017.  At that time, he was a teenager accompanying his sister to a diving trial—despite a fear of heights, he took to diving with surprising ease. Within a year, he was crowned Australian Elite Junior Champion in the 3-m springboard, also taking silver in the 1-m event. Rousseau’s breakthrough onto the senior international stage came quickly. In 2019, he placed ninth in the 10-metre platform at the FINA World Championships in Gwangju, securing Australia’s spot in that event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. At Tokyo, he made his Olympic debut and reached the final in the men’s 10-m platform, finishing eighth. In 2022 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, he claimed gold in the men’s 10-m platform and added two bronze medals in the men’s and mixed synchronised 10-m events. The following year, at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, he made history by winning gold in the men’s 10-m platform—Australia’s first ever in that event. He delivered a near-perfect final dive—a forward four-and-a-half somersault tuck—for 98.05 points, denying a clean sweep by the dominant Chinese diving team. In recent years, he’s continued to perform strongly: he defended his world-champion status by winning another gold in 2025 in Singapore in the 10-m platform, and picked up medals in mixed synchronised events.  At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he narrowly missed the podium in the individual 10-m platform, finishing fourth, and also competed with Domonic Bedggood in the synchronised event, placing sixth. Cassiel Rousseau is known not just for his athletic feats but his rapid rise in diving, his consistency, and a grounded character—qualities that suggest he has many more achievements ahead in his diving career.

François Vogelsberger (VIC) was born on November 8th, 1976, in Charenton-le-Pont, Val-de-Marne, France.

He moved to Australia in April 2014 to join Tennis Australia as Dylan Alcott’s coach. Over nine years working together, François and Dylan achieved outstanding success: winning three Paralympic gold medals (two in Rio and one in Tokyo), one Paralympic silver medal (Tokyo), fifteen Grand Slam singles titles, and eight Grand Slam doubles titles in wheelchair tennis. In recognition of these achievements, François was named ITF International Wheelchair Coach of the Year 2020 and received the John Newcombe Medal for High Performance Coaching Excellence of the Year 2021.

Since 2023, François has served as the National Wheelchair High Performance Coach for Tennis Australia. In this role, he focuses on empowering coaches nationwide to become actively involved in wheelchair tennis. His vision is to strengthen the entire pathway—from introducing the sport in hospital programs to raising awareness nationwide, and ultimately supporting Australian wheelchair tennis players in reaching their full potential on the world stage.

At just 26 years old, Vincent Wormser (NSW) embodies the energy and drive of a committed young French expatriate. Now based in Australia, he works for Geodis, a global logistics company, while actively cultivating a deep passion for sport—a passion he integrates fully into both his daily life and community involvement. An avid athlete, Vincent cycles to work every day, making sport not only a lifestyle choice but also a sustainable mode of transport. His workplace’s location near several national parks allows him to regularly engage in trail running, a discipline he is particularly passionate about. Since arriving in Australia, Vincent has taken part in numerous races, including several ultra-trails, showcasing his endurance and commitment to long-distance running. Looking ahead, he has set his sights on a major goal: to compete in the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) in 2027, one of the most prestigious trail races in the world. Beyond his personal sporting pursuits, Vincent is deeply involved in promoting sport within his community. He is an active member of a local run club that brings together many French and French-speaking individuals, creating a welcoming and inclusive space centered around running. He also supports local sports associations, volunteering his time to help develop sport both within his workplace and in the broader Australian community. A regular participant in sporting events across Australia, Vincent makes a point of engaging with the local sporting culture while contributing his own perspective and experience. He is also closely following the 2027 Rugby World Cup, set to take place in Australia. A strong believer in the unifying power of sport, Vincent sees the event as a unique opportunity to strengthen ties between the French and Australian communities. Through his commitment, enthusiasm, and active involvement, Vincent Wormser stands out as a true ambassador of sport, wellness, and cultural exchange. He is a shining example of a new generation of young professionals who are active, invested, and inspiring—at work, in sport, and in their communities.