At our recent Small Business Month event in Rockhampton, the Capricornia Chamber of Commerce was privileged to welcome Gavin Shuker — a name synonymous with Australian Touch Football and now a force in the world of regional business.

Gavin’s talk traced an extraordinary journey from sporting excellence to entrepreneurial success. As a four-time World Cup champion and long-serving firefighter, he spoke candidly about the lessons learned on the field and how they shaped his approach to business: teamwork, discipline, resilience, and the courage to fail.

In 2009, Gavin and his wife Tanya founded Inferno Sports, a custom apparel brand that now operates across 19 countries. Today, his business interests include the Rocky Sports Club, Heritage Hotel, Cabra, Flamingos, and an exciting new Century 21 real estate venture focused on supporting locals with end-to-end property advice.

What truly stood out was Gavin’s commitment to community. Whether through coaching grassroots touch football or creating inclusive venues for all walks of life, his message was clear: your success is only as meaningful as the people you bring along with you.

If you’ve ever wondered how the mindset of an elite athlete translates into business, this is a must-watch.