U SPORTS announces the appointment of Matthew Davies as Chief Sport Officer

U SPORTS, the national governing body of university sports in Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Davies as Chief Sport Officer (CSO), effective September 16, 2024. 
 
With over 20 years of experience in Canada’s high-performance sports system, Davies will lead a dynamic team of sports administrators to organize and stage the U SPORTS National Championships. He will also manage relations with the Canadian sports system and the Fédération Internationale de Sport Universitaire (FISU) and deliver the sports model program. The CSO aims to elevate university sport and provide exceptional student-athlete experiences.  

“We are excited to welcome Matthew to our executive team,” said Pierre Arsenault, U SPORTS Chief Executive Officer. “His experience as a coach, administrator and leader within our ecosystem will allow Matthew to make a significant impact as we continue to innovate and grow university sport in Canada.” 
 
Before joining U SPORTS, Davies served as Chief Operating Officer at the OUA, where he implemented the conference’s safe sport policy. A committed ally, he worked within the OUA system to enhance the policies, committees, programming, and financial support for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives, including launching the Black or Indigenous Heritage Student-Athlete Bursary. In addition to his work with the OUA, he brings experience working in the CCAA, AUS, and RSEQ, having served as Director of Athletics & Recreation at Niagara College, head men’s basketball coach for the University of Prince Edward Island, and assistant men’s basketball coach with McGill University. 

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to join U SPORTS,” said Davies. “As someone who has helped create high-performance championship cultures, I am excited to work with our coach and administrators as well as national sports organization partners to ensure the experience for student-athletes. I want to thank my colleagues at the OUA for their support over the past six and a half years, but I am excited to bring my passion to the talented U SPORTS team as we work to strengthen university sport across the country.” 

Davies holds Psychology and English degrees from St. Francis Xavier University, Master of Arts in Sport Psychology from McGill University, Graduate Diploma in Sport Administration from Concordia University, and a Master of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. He also was granted a Diploma in High Performance Coaching from the National Coaching Institute – Ontario.