A Hereford man has picked up a prestigious award during the Youth Sport Trust’s 2022 Conference for his advocacy and passion in supporting schools across the area to deliver high quality PE, physical activity, and school sport for young people.
Peter Knight has worked in education for more than 15 years and during that time he has played an integral role in developing physical activity strategies both for the whole county and individual schools and delivered School Games events, engaging thousands of young people. Now retired, Peter remains a Director of Stride Active CIC.
Awarded with the Inspiring Changemakers Campbell CARE Award, Peter is commended by the charity for the impact he had during his career as an inspiring leader, practitioner and advocate for PE, school sport and physical activity in Herefordshire. The judges noted that his willingness to help colleagues and young people beyond his own network truly shows that he believes in what he does, caring about the opportunities every young person is given to be active.
Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:
“The Youth Sport Trust would like to congratulate Peter, the winner of our Campbell CARE Award. Peter has demonstrated a huge commitment to the central role of play, sport and physical education in young people’s recovery from the consequences of the pandemic – using it to build back wellbeing and accelerate academic progress.
“The Youth Sport Trust Annual Awards dinner took the 10th anniversary of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games as its theme. It was an inspiring moment for us to come together and celebrate both the legacy of 2012 on a generation and those behind the scenes who work so hard to build brighter futures for young people through the power of sport every day. We would like to recognise and thank all the educators who have given so much to young people throughout the pandemic.”
A total of nine awards were presented at the Youth Sport Trust Awards Dinner hosted by former Paralympic swimmer Kate Grey and broadcaster and retired sprinter Jeanette Kwakye MBE. All awards aligned to the theme of ‘Inspire a Generation’ linking to the 10thAnniversary of London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On winning the award Peter said:
“Being in the twilight of my career, it is an honour to receive this award and a great way to reflect on what has been achieved. It is about networks, taking people with you, and having a clear vision for what you want to achieve. None of it is possible without those things. A huge thanks goes to all the people and teams I have worked with.”
The wider Youth Sport Trust 2022 Conference takes place in Coventry today (3 March) with hundreds of headteachers, school sport professionals and businesses in attendance. The event will see Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza give an opening address alongside other high-profile speakers including a virtual address from theMinister for Children and Families, Will Quince MP, who will update on government’s new School Sport and Activity Action Plan, and the important role it sees for sport in education.
Attendees will also have the chance to network, make new connections, and take part in workshops.
For more information please visitwww.youthsporttrust.org/ystconference2022
Full list of Award winners:
| Award | Winner | Location |
| Campbell CARE Award (Network Leader / Local Influencer Award) | Peter Knight | Hereford |
| Beckwith CARE (UK) | Alfriston School | Beaconsfield |
| Beckwith CARE (International) | Louay Ali Kadro, Shatila Refugee Camp | Lebanon |
| Outstanding Early Years Physical Literacy Practice | Bodmin Preschool | Cornwall |
| Outstanding Primary Practice | Stokes Wood Primary School | Leicester |
| Outstanding Secondary Practice | Theale Green School | Theale |
| Outstanding Multi Academy Trust Practice | The GORSE Academies Trust | Leeds |
| Outstanding Inclusive Practice | Olive AP Academy | Essex |
| Outstanding Contribution to the Community | Falkirk’s Active Schools Coordinators & Falkirk and Grangemouth High Schools | Scotland |
