Meet the Founders
Built on Mateship with a shared vision to transform online sports education in Australia
PLAYBK SPORTS FOUNDERS
Built on Mateship
At Playbk Sports, co-founders Jon Shepherd and Damian Hecker bring a shared passion for sports and education. Their vision is to redefine how sports organisations engage, learn, and grow through innovative technology.
Jon Shepherd, CEO, combines his background as a former professional basketball player with a passion for technology and innovation. Driven by a collaborative approach, Jon leads Playbk Sports in delivering impactful, tailored solutions that help sports organisations grow and engage their communities. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through beach days and hiking on the Gold Coast.
Damian Hecker, COO, combines his background in education with a deep commitment to sports. From playing footy to trekking the Kokoda Trail, Damian’s passion for sport runs deep. He leverages his expertise in learning design to create immersive eLearning experiences that deliver measurable results for sports organisations.
Together, Jon and Damian lead a talented team dedicated to transforming sports education. Their hands-on approach ensures that every project at Playbk Sports reflects their belief in the power of sport, technology, and education to shape the future of sports engagement and learning.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
A RAW, UNFILTERED CONVERSATION
A Personal Insight
Join co-founders and longtime friends Damian Hecker and Jon Shepherd for a candid interview, where they share the personal achievements, family moments, business triumphs, and setbacks that have defined their journey.
From their early days together to building Playbk Sports, Damian and Jon offer an authentic glimpse into the highs, lows, and lessons learned, reflecting on nearly two decades of friendship and partnership.
Our Team is Ready to Help
Playbk offers a contemporary suite of products and services designed to harness elite profiles, grow fan engagement and uplift staff capacity.
TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
Playbk Sports has been instrumental in leading the development of the AusBike Digital program. In collaboration with their team’s expertise, we’ve developed engaging content aligned with curriculum standards, empowering children aged 8 to 12 with essential bike riding skills and knowledge in a fun and interactive manner.
The SUNS Learning portal is a highly valuable digital asset that places our AFL & ALFW players at the forefront of the delivery model. Our long-term eLearning partnership with Playbk Sports helps empower the SUNS to mean more to our community than just a football club.
Our online portal, Inclusive Sport Academy, is our go-to digital ecosystem to connect, educate and support our coaches and volunteers nationally. With over 8,500 registered users and an average learner satisfaction rate of over 90%, we’re seeing genuine authentic transfer of learning into our communities.
Collaborating with Playbk Sports aligns with our commitment to community engagement and inclusivity. The Titans Teach LMS is a game-changer, empowering our community to break down barriers and embrace the joy of sports. I fully endorse Playbk Sports approach, expertise and passion for community impact.
