Arsenal in the Community, in partnership with the Kevin Campbell Foundation, is proud to announce the winner of the very first Kevin Campbell Award.
The award was presented to Lucy Tuke-Hastings, who was voted the winner by her peers, ahead of Arsenal’s game against Fulham on April 1, to recognise her exceptional dedication as part of our Coach Development Programme.
“It was a really nice surprise and I feel very honoured and proud to be the first one to receive it,” Lucy said. “My favourite part of the programme is working with different groups, representing Arsenal and learning to coach through playing on the pitch.”
The Kevin Campbell Award celebrates one participant each year who embodies the values of Arsenal in the Community and also the late, great Kevin Campbell – someone committed to their personal development, who contributes positively to the team and consistently demonstrates outstanding dedication.
Coach Development Programme manager Drew Tyler praised Lucy’s efforts: “Her creativity is her best asset – she’s brilliant at connecting with participants of all ages. She’s made a real, positive impact on everything she’s been involved in.”
The award was officially launched in December at The Arsenal Hub, where we were joined by Arsenal legend and Kevin’s former team-mate, Alan Smith. He spoke about his friendship with Kevin and their time together at the club, including the unforgettable night Kevin scored the winner in the 1994 European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
We were also honoured to welcome Gary King, a close friend of Kevin and a trustee of the Kevin Campbell Foundation, who shared heartfelt words about Kevin’s legacy both on and off the pitch.
The award will be presented annually to a participant of the Coach Development Programme, an Arsenal in the Community course that offers aspiring coaches the opportunity to spend three days a week in coach education while supporting community projects. Participants receive guidance from experienced coaches and industry professionals, while gaining valuable practical experience across a wide range of Arsenal initiatives.
Applications for the 2025/26 Coach Development Programme open in May. To find out more email Drew Tyler at .
