Gerry Knights is proof that nice guys can be extremely successful leaders.
A proud Campbelltown resident for decades, Mr Knights has this week stepped down as the chief executive officer of South West Sydney Academy of Sport after almost 20 years in the job.
His last day in the office will be next Friday, December 11.
A good friend and colleague of his, and another long time Campbelltown resident, Martin Bullock, will take over the reins of the academy.
In announcing the retirement of Gerry Knights, the Regional Academies of Sport [RAS] have paid tribute to him.
“Gerry is one of the true pioneers of athlete development in NSW,’’ said Brett O’Farrell, chief executive officer of RAS.
“His vision and commitment have shaped the Regional Academies of Sport into what they are today – a network that provides world class opportunities for young athletes to thrive.
“Gerry has always put people first, whether it’s athletes, coaches, or staff, and his ability to build strong partnerships across government and community sectors has been second to none.
“His legacy will be felt for decades to come, and while we will miss his leadership, we know the foundations he has laid will continue to benefit thousands of athletes into the future,” Mr O’Farrell said.
In his 20 years at the helm Knights guided the South West Sydney Academy through significant growth, supporting more than 5,000 talented local athletes across multiple sports.
His leadership ensured that academy athletes had access to elite coaching, education, and pathways to state and national representation.
His influence extended beyond athletes – many sports professionals and administrators began their careers under his mentorship at the academy, shaping the next generation of leaders in Australian sport.
Before stepping into the CEO role, Knights spent 20 years with Campbelltown City Council as manager of Healthy Lifestyles, where he championed community health and recreation initiatives.
During this time, he played a key role in establishing the steering committee in 1994 that ultimately led to the creation of the academy in 1997.
Following the academy’s inception, Knights served as a member of its board of management, before officially taking on the position of chief executive officer in 2006.
He also served as deputy chairperson of Regional Academies of Sport NSW, playing a pivotal role in strategic planning and governance for the network of 11 academies servicing more than 2,000 athletes every year.
In 2023, Knights received a Sport NSW Community Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 25 years of service to athlete development and community sport.
In 2024 he was one of the first two persons awarded with the South West Sydney academy Lifetime Achievement Awards.