Liz Knight promoted to Facility Operations and Events Manager
Thu 1 Jul 2021
BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) is delighted to appoint Liz Knight to the role of Facility Operations and Events Manager.
Liz joined BSUK in 2009 as a summer coach and has worked across the company for the last 12 years, primarily in the Development team. Her new role begins today, 1 July.
Liz’s work will primarily focus on the day-to-day management of BSUK’s National Baseball & Softball Complex at Farnham Park in Buckinghamshire, the UK’s only fully purpose-built baseball and softball facility with four diamonds and more than 20,000 visitors per season. Liz will also play an integral role in scoping and driving expansion to other locations, such as the Hough End facility project in Manchester. In addition to her facility work, Liz will also focus on the creation, scheduling, and delivery of events, both at Farnham Park and across the UK.
BACKGROUND
Liz started playing Tee-ball as an 8-year-old in South Australia before moving into both baseball and fastpitch softball. Prior to joining BSUK, she represented her home state of South Australia as both a player and coach at several Australian National Championships.
While baseball and softball have always been a big part of her life, Liz initially studied and trained in horticulture and had a 10-year career the Botanic Gardens of South Australia in the Adelaide Hills. prior to moving to the UK. In 2007, she came to London for an internship at Kew Gardens before getting involved with British baseball and softball.
Two years later, and following an email from Softball Australia CEO Chet Gray, Liz joined BSUK during the summers of 2009 and 2010 as a coach in the North West. In 2011, Liz joined the company full time as North West Regional Coach and Club Development Officer based out of Manchester.
Liz later moved south to become Development Manager covering London and Essex, where she has spent the last seven years working to develop baseball and softball. She has also volunteered as an Assistant Coach for the world 12th (WBSC) ranked GB Softball Women’s Senior National Team.
Since joining BSUK, Liz’s work has helped increase the number of players across the UK – from approximately 8,000 in 2009 to over 20,000 today – and has helped coach a number of players who have gone on to represent GB internationally.
COMMENT
Speaking about her appointment, Liz said,” I’m really excited to become BSUK’s Facilities Operations and Events Manager. Our facility work across the UK, especially at Farnham Park National Baseball & Softball Complex, has come such a long way, and I’m excited to help elevate it to the next level.”
"I’m very fortunate to be employed in the sports that I love and this role is a unique opportunity to shape the playing experience for so many baseball and softball players in Britain. Events are one of my favourite things about our sports and I’m eager to get involved with more tournaments and events.
"I'm looking forward to being able to combine my experience from within our sports and from my previous career from horticulture to help shape the future of both at Farnham Park and around the UK."
Joelle Watkins, Head of Commercial, added, "Liz’s professional and voluntary experience in our sports is unparalleled and I’m delighted to welcome someone with such pride and knowledge to run and develop not only our national facility but other facilities around the country, working closely with stakeholders, clubs and leagues to grow baseball and softball.
