Luke Kennedy - Co-Founder

Luke was born and raised in Peterborough and he attended William Law and Ken Stimpson Community School.  During Luke’s school career he was part of the Peterborough United FC youth setup, where he had the opportunity to travel most of Europe, gaining valuable experiences along the way. Luke was taught the importance of timekeeping, professionalism, appearance, manners, respect, teamwork, healthy eating and so much more. Luke was lucky enough to meet and learn from many top coaches, including John Morling (Head Of Youth at Brighton & Hove Albion FC), Dan Ashworth (FA Technical Director) and Kit Carson (Previously Norwich City, Peterborough United and Cambridge United).

At 16, Luke left school with 8 GCSEs and signed YTS forms with Peterborough United FC. This was a three-year contract involving football training Monday to Friday alongside part-time studying. Despite Luke’s dream of being a professional football at the forefront of his mind, he remained focused on studying and gained qualifications in a variety of sports. When he turned 18, Luke signed for Rushden & Diamonds FC, where he completed his third and final year as a YTS. During Luke’s final year as a YTS, he was regularly involved with the first-team squad and made his professional debut away at Walsall FC, playing against Ex-Arsenal and England International Paul Merson. Following this, Luke was offered a one-year professional contract with Rushden & Diamonds FC.

At the age of 21, Luke joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary as a PCSO (Police Community Support Officer). The job involved patrolling the streets of Eastgate and Eastfield for 3 years, before becoming the designated PCSO at St John Fisher Catholic High School. In his time as a PCSO, Luke made a huge impact. Wanting to provide young people with something positive to do on a Friday night, alongside The Youth Offending Service and Peterborough United FC, Luke set up a football project. Within a month of the football project launching, reported ASB incidents dropped by an impressive 26%. After this success, again in partnership with The Youth Offending Service, Luke set up Boxercise sessions in several senior schools across the city, this time aiming to reduce stress during challenging times in school. This work was recognised by the Cambridgeshire Constabulary on two occasions, resulting in Luke receiving a ‘CHIEF CONSTABLE COMMENDATION’ award. He was also awarded with and part of a 10% group in the ‘CAMBRIDGESHIRE MAXIMISING POTENTIAL SCHEME’.

After 6 years of working closely with the community as a PCSO, Luke then joined up as a Police Constable. Despite enjoying his new role as a Police Constable, within three months, Luke quickly realised how much he missed working with young people and decided to leave Cambridgeshire Constabulary in January 2014.



 Luke’s aim was to provide young people with an opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports whilst receiving high-level coaching. Ultimately, Luke wanted to support young people in building self-esteem, encourage them to make positive life choices and give them the belief that they can achieve their dreams. Making his dream a reality, Luke founded YDP (Youth Dreams Project) in February 2014, with his friend Luke Steele.