Jordan Davies (he/him) has worked as a Customer Experience Coordinator with Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre (MUSAC) for eight months.

As a Pride in Sport Staff Ambassador, he is very proud of the University achieving gold-tier recognition at the 2023 Australian Pride in Sport Awards for the third consecutive year. He graduated from Macquarie in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

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1. Something you’d like staff to know about 

Our Pride-themed Zumba classes. These are the most popular group fitness events of the year and sell out in minutes. There is nothing like bringing a bit of Mardi Gras spirit to your evening Zumba class. If I can’t tempt you here, feel free to come and chat with me at MUSAC.

2. A person you admire at Macquarie, and why

Dr Jon Burtt was a lecturer of mine while studying at Macquarie. He opened my mind to so many avenues to explore that I didn’t think were in my remit or capability. If you’re reading this Jon, thank you.

3. What you need to do your best work

A problem to solve. I’m more of a big-picture kind of guy so coming up with grand ideas is my strength. However, I may need help from my team with their execution and working through all the finer details.

4. Something people usually ask you when they find out what you do for living

“I bet you work out all the time!” One would think this is a safe bet, but regrettably they’d be wrong. I admire the sentiment, though. Maybe it’s something I should take on as personal feedback.

5. Your definition of success

I guess this is twofold. Firstly, knowing my team members are set up for success in all that they may do or want to do in future. As a coach and a leader, my objective is to empower my team to achieve whatever they want in this role or where they see themselves moving. Secondly, I see my own success as maintaining a great work-life balance. Our careers are important to us for many good reasons, and we should hold our personal relationships, energy and mental wellbeing in the same regard. It takes a village to raise a child, and I think the same should be said for our work lives. 

6. The first person you go to for advice (and why)

I’ve never been great at asking for advice. Recently I’ve been working on consulting my closest friends when I’m up against something I can’t answer myself, though this has been a huge mental adjustment. I’m blessed to be surrounded by wonderful, compassionate people.

7. A personal quality you value in others

The desire to learn.

8. I’m happiest when…

I’m with my partner, Jackson. Nothing compares.

9. What does it mean to be a Pride in Sport Ambassador?

Pride in Sport is much more than meets the eye. It is common knowledge that sport and fitness is one of the most exclusionary and discriminatory industries for LGBTQIA+ people to participate and work in, so having influence over this narrative is empowering. Rainbow-washing simply isn’t enough to make real or meaningful change for anyone, so being able to inform and change policy and practice in real time is exciting. For me, it is incredibly personal.

10. What does Pride in Sport Gold mean to you?

It means a lot to the team that has worked so hard to achieve Gold, and as a queer man working in sport and fitness, it means even more again. Being able to celebrate the win on the night with like-minded individuals and organisations was pretty electric and was an opportunity to honour those who are achieving wonderful things in the industry. On the flipside, having these conversations with others who are equally invested in positive outcomes for LGTBQIA+ people in sport serves a stark reminder of how much more work there is to be done, particularly for trans and gender diverse people who are facing unique barriers.