Meet Bonnie Yu, Safety, Quality & Environment Coordinator in Australia, balancing a growing career at A-Gas with competing on the international stage as a member of the Australian Women's Lacrosse Squad.
Outside of work, a large portion of Bonnie's time is currently dedicated to training and competing with the Australian Women's Lacrosse Squad - something she is incredibly passionate about.
How did you first get involved in lacrosse, and what inspired you to pursue it at such a high level?
Both of my parents and most of my family have played lacrosse. I fell in love not only with the game itself but also with the community and culture that comes with it. It has always been a dream of mine to represent my country, after watching so many great women do it before me, and now that I am at the level I am, I am so grateful.
Can you share some memorable highlights from your lacrosse journey?
One of my recent highlights is from last year at the World Games in Chengdu, China. The World Games is the tournament for all sports not currently in the Olympics, hoping for a chance to get their sport there. It was an awesome experience - so competitive - and we won Bronze in an overtime game against Japan! It remains one of the most memorable moments of my sporting career so far.
What do you enjoy most about your role and working at A-Gas?
What I enjoy most about A-Gas is the culture. The support extends into my professional development as well. I've been given opportunities to learn, grow, and develop my skills, and that has made a huge difference as I continue building my career. I'm excited to continue developing my knowledge and contributing to the success of A-Gas in every way I can.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not working or playing lacrosse?
I just love spending time with friends and family whenever I can. Most weekends you’ll find me catching up with friends over breakfast, having coffee (Melbourne being the BEST in the world), or heading down the coast and going to beaches. I love summer and being outside.
What's next for you, both in your sporting journey and your career?
In my career I want to continue learning as much as I can in my role and develop a strong understanding of all aspects of safety, quality, and environment. I look forward to growing my skills while contributing to the success of the business.
In my lacrosse career, we have just qualified for the Olympic qualifiers next year in Colardo Springs in October. So, I will be training for that to ensure we get Australia to its rightful spot in the 2028 Olympics!
“Not everything goes to plan and there will always be challenges to overcome. Sport has taught me to keep moving when things get tough!”
Bonnie Yu
How do you balance competing, training, and your role at A-Gas?
At times balancing work and sport can be challenging. There are plenty of days where I head straight from work to training, or from training into meetings, and it can feel like there aren't enough hours in the day.
That said, I couldn't ask for a more supportive workplace. A-Gas has been incredibly encouraging of my sporting commitments, and I'm grateful for the support I've received. I've learned so much in my role since joining the business earlier this year, and I'm excited to continue growing both professionally and personally.
How do you balance competing, training, and your role at A-Gas?
At times balancing work and sport can be challenging. There are plenty of days where I head straight from work to training, or from training into meetings, and it can feel like there aren't enough hours in the day.
That said, I couldn't ask for a more supportive workplace. A-Gas has been incredibly encouraging of my sporting commitments, and I'm grateful for the support I've received. I've learned so much in my role since joining the business earlier this year, and I'm excited to continue growing both professionally and personally.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given, either in sport or in life?
A recent piece of advice that I have received is ‘pressure is a privilege.’ This is what I received in sport, but I think it can apply to all aspects of life.
If you're feeling pressure, it's usually because you're in a position where something is important to you. Whether it is taking on a new challenge at work or striving to achieve a goal. I've learned to see pressure not as something negative but as a sign that I've been given an opportunity to grow, perform, and make a difference.
