Samer Kamal, Venue Manager at Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation Leisure (SWIRL), was born and raised in Amman, Jordan, a stunning country situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Having moved to Australia early 2019 with a dream to pursue a Masters degree, Samer achieved this goal and quickly moved into a career with Belgravia Leisure as a swim teacher and lifeguard.
Just four months later, Samer secured his position as Venue Manager for SWIRL and hasn’t looked back, enjoying all that Belgravia Leisure has to offer when it comes to recognition, inclusion, support and room to develop new skills.
Samer is a firm believer in inclusivity and feels that being able to be yourself at work is crucial when fostering a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and accepting environment.
“I find Belgravia Leisure to be a diverse workplace, and I was grateful for the welcoming onboarding experience for someone who comes from a different culture.
“I truly feel I can bring my authentic self to the workplace, which allows me to operate at my fullest potential. Particularly as someone coming from a different cultural background, I firmly believe that a long-lasting and fulfilling duration in any company is only possible when individuals are encouraged to be their true selves without fear of judgment or discrimination.”
Samer continued, “I have personally experienced this inclusivity firsthand when my culture and beliefs were respected and embraced by my team without judgment. I am particularly grateful to the people and culture team, who went above and beyond in their support during a significant time for me.
“During Ramadan, while attending Belgravia Leisure College, they provided everything necessary to ensure I could continue my fasting comfortably. This kind of understanding and support fosters a sense of belonging and appreciation within the workplace, making it truly inclusive and supportive.”
“To me, it all starts with the company promoting a culture of respect, where individuals can freely express themselves without fear of judgment. Embracing diversity and acknowledging that each person brings unique perspectives and experiences to the table is essential. By encouraging open communication, active listening, and valuing the contributions of all team members, we can create an ideal workplace where people feel seen and heard. When people from various backgrounds come together, united by a common goal, it fosters a positive and enriching work atmosphere.
“I’m also grateful to be a part of a company that wants to learn more about our collective identity through the Workforce Diversification survey. Understanding the diverse composition of our workforce is essential for not only gaining a comprehensive understanding of who makes up our organisation, but also to operate successfully in different locations and foster a workplace culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity, ultimately driving our company’s success and innovation.”
Samer is passionate about swimming, learning about businesses, markets, growing industries and history. He believes learning is the key to success, as well as surfing; “Being in the ocean helps me to reset and gives me positive energy to carry on and overcome any challenge.”
With his sights set on first managing a bigger venue in another state, then as an Area Manager overlooking more sites, there is no slowing down for Samer as he looks forward to his future with Belgravia Leisure.
