Professor, Camilla Knight, has been announced as Director of Impact, Innovation and Engagement at sport for development charity, Greenhouse Sports.
Greenhouse Sports – Elmgreen School
The youth development charity places coach-mentors in schools, offering free sports coaching and mentorship to those children most in need, allowing them to positively contribute to society via improved school attendance and wellbeing gains.
Professor Knight, who will join Greenhouse Sports from Swansea University in June 2025 following a transitional consulting period, brings with her international expertise across youth sport. Her work has a particular focus on enhancing children’s experiences and development in and through sport, and the influence of parents.
Alongside her research, as a registered Sport Psychologist and Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist, Professor Knight has worked closely with national and international sporting organisations, including Sport Wales, Sport New Zealand, Sport Singapore, the Rugby Football Union, Welsh Rugby Union and Swim Wales, guiding their work regarding parental involvement and youth sport. She also works with young people, parents and coaches to enhance their experiences and development within youth sport.
Professor Knight is currently the Youth Sport lead for the Welsh Institute of Performance Science, a research advisor to the Child Protection in Sport Unit and a member of the Welsh Rugby Union Independent Safeguarding Advisory Board. She also holds an appointment at the University of Agder, Norway. She has co-authored “Parenting in youth sport: From Research to Practice” and co-edited “Sport Psychology for Young Athletes,” alongside numerous other academic, practice, and policy documents.
In this new role as Director of Impact, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Knight will take responsibility for ensuring Greenhouse Sports is an insight driven, data-informed organisation, delivering programmes that have the maximum positive impact on young people. She will provide the strategic guidance to ensure that all Greenhouse Sports activities are effective, efficient and reach those most in need.
Professor Knight said: “I am really excited to have an opportunity to draw on my research insights and knowledge to support Greenhouse Sports to further make a difference in the lives of young people. Over the last 15 years, I have been able to really dive into the world of youth sport and particularly understand the experiences and development of young people, parents, and coaches. Research consistently shows that sport can be a beneficial vehicle for social change when it is provided in appropriate ways and with the necessary support, I am hoping to be able to bring these insights to help Greenhouse Sports impact even more effectively and efficiently on young people.
“Greenhouse Sports use sports and physical activity as a vehicle to develop young lives and has proven what is possible, with a fantastic model placing coach-mentors in schools for extended periods of time to support young people. This long-term support of these coach-mentors is so important in supporting the holistic development of young people and from everything I hear they are magic. I can’t wait to work with them and the whole Greenhouse Sports team soon.”
Greenhouse Sports works with more than 8,500 young people annually through dedicated full-time school coach-mentors embedded in schools, focusing on areas of high deprivation.
Don Barrell, CEO at Greenhouse Sports commented: “Very few people understand young people and sport better than Camilla, which is what makes her the perfect person for this exciting and transformational role at Greenhouse. She has spent her career creating a powerful understanding and knowledge of the youth sport sector, with industry-leading insights into optimising the experiences of sport for young people, and parents.
“Camilla’s experience aligns greatly with the work we do day-in-day-out at Greenhouse, helping to shape the lives of young people through sport, who may not otherwise have these opportunities. She is a key step in our mission to become the first thought in positive youth development and ultimately, ensure that every child we work with gets a fair chance to succeed.”
To find out more about Greenhouse Sports, visit: www.greenhousesports.org
With thanks to Greenhouse Sports via New Reach
