We are pleased to welcome Emma Cotterill as the new CEO of NYSA Sweden
We are delighted to announce that Emma Cotterill has been appointed as the new CEO of NYSA Sweden, a step that marks an exciting new chapter for our organisation.
Who is Emma Cotterill
Emma is a Swedish human rights lawyer who brings over 15 years of experience in social justice, human rights, and community development, working across the UK and Sweden. After completing her law degree in Gothenburg, she moved to London to continue her education, obtaining a masters degree in human rights law.
Her background includes leading anti- trafficking initiatives at The Salvation Army in Sweden, initiating a widely recognised collaborative model to respond to human trafficking locally and nationally.
Emma has also worked for Hope for Justice in the UK, developing training programmes, coordinating after-care for survivors, and building systemic responses to exploitation.
More recently, Emma has served NYSA Sweden as Strategic Impact Manager, contributing significantly to our strategic direction and social impact efforts.
A personal story & values-driven leadership
For Emma, leadership, and life is rooted in empathy, compassion and a drive for meaningful change. In her own words:
“I grew up with a strong sense of curiosity and a drive to bring about change where it’s needed most. A lot of that came from my grandparents, who opened their home to refugees when I was young. Being surrounded by people from different countries and circumstances taught me empathy, resilience, and the belief that even small actions can create meaningful change. Those experiences sparked my desire to see the world and shaped my commitment to work that genuinely matters for people.”
Her commitment to social justice and human dignity has guided her entire career:
“That commitment has guided my entire career… At the heart of everything I do is collaboration: understanding people, designing structures that support them, and working together to create impact that lasts.”
This mindset, centred on people, values, holistic care, and systemic change aligns deeply with NYSA Sweden’s mission and ethos.
A new chapter: Combining sport, social impact & community
Emma explains why she believes NYSA Sweden is the right place for her next step:
“NYSA Sweden appealed to me because it’s an organisation that doesn’t just talk about values, it lives them. Sport is such a powerful connector, leveller, and catalyst for change, and while I’ve used many different tools for social impact, using sport at scale is a new and exciting arena. I was also drawn to the team: people I genuinely enjoy, respect, and learn from. The relational way we work is not just refreshing, it’s essential.”
Looking ahead, Emma shares a clear vision:
“Our vision is to build on the strong foundation created since 2018, deepening our core values as we strengthen our dual commitment to elite performance and social impact.”
She believes in sport as a force for unity, resilience and belonging, especially in a time when young people face growing pressures from mental health, digital overload, and social fragmentation. Sport, she argues, can offer community, purpose and hope.
NYSA Sweden aims to stand alongside clubs, athletes, youth and communities — building capacity, fostering social connection, and offering opportunities where they matter most.
Join us in welcoming Emma
We’re incredibly grateful to have Emma Cotterill leading NYSA Sweden into this next phase. Her dedication, background, and vision bring renewed energy and purpose, and we can’t wait to work together to amplify our impact, grow our community, and champion youth sport as a force for good.
Please join us in welcoming Emma warmly, and stay tuned for more news, stories and opportunities ahead.
As we welcome Emma into her new role, we also want to extend our profound gratitude to Owen Southgate, whose visionary leadership has shaped NYSA Sweden from its earliest days. As the organisation’s founder, Owen built NYSA from the ground up, driven by a belief that sport, values, and community could intersect to create meaningful impact for young people across Sweden and beyond.
Under Owen’s guidance, NYSA has grown from an idea into a respected organisation known for its relational ethos, athlete-centred approach, and commitment to social impact. His energy, creativity, and conviction have been instrumental in establishing the foundation on which NYSA now stands.
We are delighted to share that Owen will continue to play a vital role in our organisation as International Director. In this new position, he will lead our global partnerships, shape NYSA’s international strategy, and lend his deep expertise and distinctive voice to our future development. His perspective and leadership will remain an invaluable asset as NYSA expands its reach and influence.
We thank Owen for his extraordinary contributions, and we look forward to the continued impact his work will bring in this next chapter.