Unsung hero gets his moment on the international stage

By Jordan Hughes 

In the game of rugby, it's easy to get swept up by premierships, the star players and the high-level coaches - but the backbone of any club are the quiet achievers. 

Loic Fougere fits the bill.

And his tireless work behind the scenes with Bond University Rugby Club has led to a call-up from Rugby Australia for the Wallabies’ Spring tour.

Fougere, a Masters of Sports Management graduate at Bond, has worked as the colt’s team manager along with many other volunteering responsibilities that have risen over the season.

That commitment and perseverance earned Loic the plumb role as a team liaison officer for the Wallabies which began last weekend in the thrilling one-point win over Scotland.

Born and bred in Switzerland, Loic’s mother is from a small country town named Commugny while his dad hails from Clermont in France. 

It is there he developed the love for rugby that is in the Fougere family’s blood.

He grew up a diehard fan of Top 14 powerhouse ASM Clermont-Auvergne, the team his father played for in his early teens. 

The 27-year-old has become a global citizen, growing up in Europe before spending time in New Zealand and England after graduating school. His first taste of Australia came in 2018.

“I came for an exchange program at Griffith University and knew I definitely wanted to come back to complete my Masters,” he said.

“I came back to the Griffith in February 2020, but nothing went according to plan, COVID obviously hit us all and remote learning really put me off studying, I wasn’t enjoying my degree anymore.

 “One morning, I just had enough of it and broke down on the phone to my parents, I decided I would either give up and come back home with no plan in mind, or I would transfer to another university and start fresh. I typed ‘Universities in Gold Coast’ on Google and Bond University was at the top.’’

The fresh start at Bond University was the change he needed, and quickly got involved with rugby club after arriving on campus.

“I had a really good feeling and Luca Liussi (Director of rugby) and Tim Heath (Rugby Administrator) became really good mentors for me and have been pivotal in my professional development,” he said.

In 2022 alone Fougere has worked with four rugby union organisations, the Queensland Reds, Fijian Drua, Rugby Australia and Bond University rugby club. 

However, his greatest achievement is the European tour with the Wallabies.

“I never would have thought I would get to tour with the national team and visit these stadiums like the Stade de France where I would come as a kid to watch France play,” he said.

The highlight came on the weekend as Australia took on France at a sold-out Stade de France where the home nation secured the one point win over the Wallabies. 

“Singing the anthem with the staff on the sideline facing the players and enjoying the French national anthem was bloody special,” he said.

“The game was insane and seeing my dad after was extra special, a massive highlight for me.’’

Away from the bright lights of international rugby, Fougere has been very busy in his role.

“My role is to help both the Wallabies as well as the primary local stakeholders and to create and maintain relationships and assisting with the language barriers as well,” he said. 

Fougere is extremely grateful for the opportunity in what has been a trip of a lifetime.

“I want to emphasise on thanking the people that made this happen and I 

I can’t wait to catch up with Luca and Tim when I’m back because without them and the Bond University Rugby Club I wouldn’t be here.’’