Richard Luscombe How Conner Luscombe used the power of Argyle and the Premier League to re-engage with life and start a career in the Royal Navy.
Around five years ago, Argyle fan Conner Luscombe was completely disengaged from the school system. He was barely attending classes, frequently finding any reason he could to avoid being there. His primary desire was to be anywhere else and to earn money.
“I didn’t like school at the time. I felt like I was wasting my time, so I was deliberately missing weeks of school,” Conner explains.
Conner’s story began to change one Thursday afternoon in 2023 when he wandered down to his local multi-use games area (MUGA) at Flora Court in Stonehouse. There, he encountered a small group of young people preparing to play football through a session funded by the Premier League called Premier League Kicks.
Premier League Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential. The programme creates opportunities for young people who are at risk of anti-social behaviour, youth violence and/or from high-need areas to regularly engage in football, sport, mentoring and personal development opportunities.
“I went down and checked it out. I saw the Argyle coaches wearing Argyle gear and I had to know what was going on. Scott (Argyle Community Trust Community Coach) was running it and asked me if I wanted to join in, so I did, making me one of the first at the session. There weren’t many at the beginning but it’s massive now.
“The bond between me, Scott and Tallan was great. They were so relatable, you could have a laugh with them, and they are relaxed, but know when to take things seriously.
“Argyle was the hook. Seeing the badge and seeing that sense community. I loved it and have been going ever since.”
“Kicks gets me out the house, playing football, giving me a laugh. We play in all weather, and it gets me active so it’s good for my physical and mental health. If it wasn’t for Kicks, I would just be inside glued to a screen.”
With Thursday nights supporting him after school, Conners school was working on getting him back engaged with the education system. It was at this moment that his teacher introduced him to the Premier League Inspires Programme.
Premier League Inspires is a personal development programme, developed by the Premier League and professional football clubs using the power of football to inspire young people aged 11-18 at risk of not reaching their potential, to develop the personal skills and positive attitudes needed to succeed in life.
“The programme made me come in to school for those days. We would complete activities to engage us in learning, and complete workbooks with Argyle staff. It improved my communication, involvement and engagement, and helped me build relationships with people.”
During a Premier League Kicks session, Kat, a Plymouth City Council Youth Worker, was speaking to Conner about volunteering opportunities through Project 35, Argyles social impact initiative in partnership with Ginsters aimed at talking poverty.
“I worked on a match day, walking around the stadium collecting donations. It made me feel good that I was giving back to the community. I really enjoyed it.”
The big break for Conner came when Manadon Sports and Community Hub, Argyle Community Trust’s community facility, hosted a navy day through the Premier League Inspires programme.
“Scott called and reminded me to come along. It was great. They had weapons and gear laid out and they showed us how to use them and gave a talk about life in the navy.
“After the event, I went home and did some more research and applied that day. I’m grateful for that day, and getting involved in the Trust, because it helped me discover my interest in the navy and choose my current career.”
Conner has just completed the first part of his training in HMNB Portsmouth.
“It has been great getting my head wrapped around being in an official military base. People have been great, I’ve made new friends, and it is preparing me for the next part of my journey at HMS Raleigh.
“The Conner from five years ago wouldn’t have believed that I am now in the navy. I wouldn’t have had the resilience or discipline. Inspires and Kicks has helped me gain this and given me this opportunity for my future.
“I aspire to being a warfare specialist and move up the ranks. Without the Trust I wouldn’t be here. My advice to anyone is just get involved with it. You don’t know where you might end up. I never thought I’d end up joining the navy. Argyle have so many connections.
“I could never forget Argyle and the badge.”
Premier League Inspires Officer, Tallan Mitchell, thinks Conners story can inspire others: “Conner is an inspiration to younger people who are disengaged and don’t know where they’re heading in life
“I met Conner for the first time when he was in year 11 during the Premier League Inspires programme and he was very quiet, was struggling with attendance, was disengaged with school, and had no real direction for his future.”
The first challenge for Tallan and the Trust was to build Conners confidence and resilience to help him reach his full potential.
“I’ll be honest, when I first met Conner I thought it would be really tricky because he was stubborn. But we could see that he needed the support. He was the perfect young person for the Inspires programme.
“Seeing him now, having joined the navy, showing resilience and confidence – we are so proud of him. We are even discussing how we can help with his fitness for the navy through gym sessions at The Hub at Foulston Park.
“We have to say a massive thank you to the Premier League. Without their funding and support we wouldn’t be able to put these sessions on, reach as many young people as we do, and running these sessions simply wouldn’t be possible. The power of this incredible partnership creates amazing opportunities for young people, and for that we are very grateful.”
For more information on the Premier League Kicks or Inspires programmes, and how you can get involved, email tallan.mitchell@pafc.co.uk.
