Olivia Watson wins the Kevin Campbell Award | Arsenal in the Community | News

In partnership with the Kevin Campbell Foundation, Arsenal in the Community established the Kevin Campbell Award to honour Kevin’s legacy, both on and off the pitch.

The award recognises coaches who demonstrate exceptional commitment, passion and professionalism throughout their time on the Coach Development Programme, values that Kevin embodied throughout his life and career.

In 2024, we sadly lost our much-loved former striker, Kevin Campbell, at the age of 54. Following a distinguished playing career, “Super Kev” remained a dear and cherished friend to many at the club, always maintaining the close bonds he first built in his early days at Highbury.

To continue his legacy, Kevin’s family established the Kevin Campbell Foundation with the aim of supporting children and young people through football. In collaboration with Arsenal in the Community, the Kevin Campbell Award was created to recognise a participant on the Coach Development Programme who consistently demonstrates outstanding dedication, enthusiasm and performance, while representing Arsenal and its values in a way that reflects Kevin’s own.

The inaugural Kevin Campbell Award for the 2024/25 season was presented to Lucy Tuke-Hastings, who was voted for by her peers in recognition of her commitment and impact across the programme. Her approach embodied the standards and character the award seeks to celebrate.

We are proud to announce that Olivia Watson, the second recipient of this honour, has been named the winner of the 2025/26 Kevin Campbell Award, an accolade made even more special as it was voted for by her peers.

Olivia joined us on the pitch today to accept the award ahead of our 2–0 victory against Everton, a club where Kevin is also fondly remembered for his time and impact.

Drew Tyler, Programme Manager of the Coach Development Programme, said:

“Olivia is a worthy winner of the Kevin Campbell Award for 2026. She joined the programme with a fantastic attitude towards coaching and developing both herself and her craft. Olivia has an infectious energy that lifts the entire group, and she has an incredible ability to connect with the young people she works with across our wide range of community programmes.

“Olivia represents everything the Coach Development Programme is about, particularly in a year where we have welcomed the highest number of female coaches in the group. We are extremely proud of her.”