Ice Hockey Australia has announced the appointment of a new Commissioner ahead of the 2026/27 Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League (AWIHL) season.
Christian Knott, based in Adelaide, will take on the position, bringing a wealth of experience across multiple professional sectors, as well as a strong connection to the Australian ice hockey community.
Knott takes the reins
Knott has been heavily involved in ice hockey in Australia for many years, a former president of Ice Hockey South Australia, chairing a board and overseeing five clubs.
A hockey parent, with daughter Amelia representing both the Adelaide Rush in the AWIHL and South Australia in Stephanie Boxall Tournaments.
Bringing a well established connection to women’s hockey and the AWIHL prior to being named Commissioner.
“With my daughter currently off on her journey with US College Ice Hockey, I finally have the space to take on the Commissioner role,” Knott told 6ixdubhockey.com
“If she were still here, I’d likely just be the ‘goaltender parent’ in the stands at AWIHL games.”
His involvement in the sport has provided him with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing women’s hockey in Australia, as the AWIHL continues to build on the momentum generated in recent years.
“Supporting her journey has given me a very grounded, firsthand appreciation for the pathway these athletes take, and it reinforces exactly why the AWIHL is so important.
“It’s the pinnacle of our sport in Australia, and young girls need a thriving, professional league to aspire to—’if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.’
“The recent growth in women’s hockey nationally and globally has been fantastic, driven by a lot of hard work from passionate people right here in Australia.
“My goal now is to harness that momentum, work closely with the Clubs and stakeholders, and build a platform that allows these incredible athletes to shine.”
Following Fellowes’ tenure
The appointment comes after Michaela Fellowes left the position following four years in the seat, appointed in 2022, Fellowes oversaw strong growth that included the introduction of the Melbourne Ducks following league expansion.
Raising the footprint and profile of women’s ice hockey nationally, Fellowes played and important role in navigating the leagues way out of the COVID pandemic and in the development of the competition.
Like Knott, Fellowes had vision of what the AWIHL could be, building close relationships with people supporting and promoting the competition.
Taking over the role at an important time for the AWIHL, Knott will see the league enter the 2026/27 season hoping to capture nationwide hockey exposure and growth, while increasing stability.
Building on the AWIHL’s growth
The addition of the Melbourne Ducks – and potentially a Canberra based AWIHL team, has increased the leagues presence in Melbourne, providing another pathway for players looking to compete at the elite level of women’s ice hockey in Australia.
For Knott, the challenge will be to build on the foundations established over the past several seasons while working with clubs, players and Ice Hockey Australia to strengthen the competition.
The Commissioner role is a central position that navigates the continued development of the AWIHL, which includes opportunities for future expansion, player pathway development, funding, increasing engagement online and in the stands across the broader hockey community.
Knott begins his tenure on the eve of the new season, where women in hockey is a strong focus across multiple areas of the sport.
Christian Knott’s vision for the AWIHL
A chapter in women’s sport that is seeing significant growth on and off the ice, Knott comes into the role in an exciting time for women’s ice hockey.
His appointment provides the AWIHL with experienced leadership as the AWIHL looks to continue to establish itself as a premier sporting product in Australia.
“I believe what I bring to the table, drawing from my professional work as well as my time in ice hockey and sailing, is the ability to agree on a shared vision and then steadily work toward it, while always staying flexible if adjusting the end goal brings a better outcome,” continued Knott.
“With that approach in mind, my ultimate goal — and it’s one I haven’t even shared with my stakeholders yet, so that first meeting could be awkward! – is to put the building blocks in place so that the women playing at the highest level of ice hockey in Australia no longer have to pay to play.
“If anyone reading has the funding to make that happen today, please reach out.”
Building towards a sustainable future
While Knott has strong ambition to see the AWIHL reach it’s maximum potential, he understands the journey it will take to get there.
That ambition is something the AWIHL needs. Moving towards a model where players no longer have to dip into their own pockets to play will require everyone to share the same vision.
“But the reality is that an audacious goal like this takes time and structure. We need a unified vision, solid processes, a fantastic product on the ice, and we need to tell the incredible stories of these athletes,” said Knott.
“We also need investors at every level, from season ticket holders to businesses that believe in where the league is heading.
“I might not be the Commissioner in the chair when we finally reach that goal, but if I do my job and provide the right stewardship for the Clubs and IHA now, we’ll be setting the league up for long-term success.
“There’s a quote from Doctor Who that I think perfectly sums up my approach to this role: “Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame.”
“In our case, it’s our athletes who will go on to achieve greatness, and it is just my privilege to help light the flame.”
