The father of murdered teenage footballer Kiyan Prince set out a new vision for young Londoners on the 20th anniversary of his son’s death.
Dr Mark Prince OBE spoke as a shock new poll found only half of 16 to 24-year-olds are confident about their futures and just 37 per cent think they’re “winning” when defined as the opportunity to achieve life goals.
Dr Prince dedicated his life to steering young people away from knife crime since Kiyan, 15, was fatally stabbed trying to break up a fight outside his Edgware school on May 18, 2006.
The Kiyan Prince Foundation - set up in honour of the tragic Queens Park Rangers youth team player – today launches a campaign, The Champions’ Club, calling for more investment into youth services to help them succeed.
It includes an ambition to raise £400,000 so that the charity can fund a new space for youngsters dedicated to Kiyan’s legacy.
Dr Prince has also created a 20-point blueprint to improve the lives of Gen Z – one for every year since the teenager’s death.
It sets out 10 asks of policymakers – including better pay and recognition for youth workers, more long-term focus and greater prominence for community voices.
The other 10 recommendations are for young people themselves, and include prioritising physical exercise, developing critical thinking skills and volunteering for local organisations.
Dr Prince said: “My son, Kiyan, was a winner because he had the courage to be himself and follow his dreams.
“But, today, not enough young people feel that way. They’re held back by a society which sees them as a problem, rather than a generation with potential.
“Youth clubs play a huge role in building a winning mentality for young people.
“But the number of them has declined rapidly in the past 15 years and that’s a scandal.
“Through our new campaign, we’re calling for more investment into youth services and want to create our own space, carrying Kiyan’s name, that helps young people feel like winners again.”
Research commissioned by the Kiyan Prince Foundation of 1,016 youngsters shows how urgently change is needed.
Three quarters say it’s difficult being their age in the UK today, 84 per cent believe youth clubs can play a life-changing role in helping them achieve their potential and 76 per cent think investment in dedicated spaces is one of the most effective ways in preventing youth violence.
Since 2008, the Kiyan Prince Foundation has been working on mentoring, coaching, research and events. It supports around 5,500 people every year.
In 2024, Dr Mark Prince won the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, recognising his work in tackling knife crime and supporting at-risk young people.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I want to pay tribute to Dr Mark Prince and to the work of the Kiyan Prince Foundation, which has done so much to support young people through mentoring and championing investment in youth work.
“I share the foundation’s commitment to young people. That’s why I set up the first Violence Reduction Unit in England and Wales and why I’ve invested more than £100 million in youth services since I became Mayor.
“I am determined that no young Londoner is left behind. My new £30m investment will build on what we’ve already achieved by delivering a youth club in every London borough and ensuring youth clubs can stay open later in the evenings and on the weekends. "This will help to keep more young people to stay safe and access positive opportunities as we continue to build a fairer, safer London for everyone.”
* To donate £20 to the Kiyan Prince Foundation and to support the call for more youth clubs in the UK, text CHAMPIONSCLUB to 70490. Text messages will cost the standard network rate plus the £20 donation.
