Over the Australia Day long weekend, something truly special unfolded in Tasmania. The first-ever Tasmania Inline Hockey Cup brought together teams and players from across Australia and New Zealand - not just to compete, but to showcase what sport is really about: community, resilience, and the power of a team united by a shared goal.
At GSD Advisors, we were proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of this event. Why? We choose events that uplift communities, create opportunities for kids, and foster environments where everyone has the chance to thrive. Because whether in sport or business, one truth remains:
A champion team will always beat a team of champions.
In Division 1, there were four teams competing for the Cup. One was filled with elite, champion players from Tasmania - on paper, they were the favourites to win. But sport, like life, often has a different script to the one we expect.
The team that won the final wasn’t stacked with star players. It was a mix of mates from Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia, with older and younger players, including an Under 17 player from New Zealand. They were a true blend of experience, youth and diversity. And when challenged, their team spirit and unity carried them through.
When one of their own was bullied, they stood by him
One of the young players in the team was bullied by an adult player from the opposition before the final. It shook his confidence so much that he considered not playing at all.
But his team had his back. They wrapped around him, reminded him that he belonged, and lifted his spirits. He found the strength to step onto the rink - and in an extraordinary moment, he scored the winning goal.
When their captain fell, someone else stepped up
The night before the final, their goalkeeper and captain suffered an injury and was ruled out of the match. For most teams, losing such a crucial player would have been devastating.
But true teams don’t crumble - they adapt. One of the other players stepped into the goalie role, despite not being a specialist in that position, and held strong to help secure the victory.
At GSD Advisors, we help organisations build high-performing teams, and we see these same lessons play out in the workplace:
Diversity makes teams stronger – the best teams bring different perspectives, skills, and experiences together. Whether it’s age, neurodiversity, or background, inclusion fuels success.
Resilience beats individual brilliance – talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. When challenges hit, it’s cohesion, trust, and adaptability that help teams push through.
Leadership isn’t about titles – real leadership comes from actions, not job descriptions. Just like in this team, leaders emerge in unexpected ways—from a goalie stepping in at the last minute, to young players showing courage in the face of adversity.
Shared purpose creates unstoppable teams – the best teams don’t play for themselves - they play for each other. The same is true in business: alignment, shared goals, and a strong culture drive sustainable success.
This is why we choose to sponsor sports like inline hockey - because it’s about so much more than just a game.
It’s about building resilience, lifting each other up, and showing that every player matters. It’s about giving kids a space to thrive, no matter their background or challenges. It’s about creating opportunities for people to shine - on the rink, in workplaces, and in life.
This team didn’t just win a final - they won in a way that demonstrated what true success looks like.
To the players, coaches, volunteers, and families who made the Tasmania Inline Hockey Cup such a powerful example of what sport can be - thank you.
And to every leader and organisation looking to build a truly great team - maybe the best lessons aren’t in business books, but in the way these young athletes played, led, and lifted each other up.