Hayes Cannup, founder of JerseyBird, is reshaping grassroots football in Nairobi through investment in Kahawa Pride FC. By combining structured training, digital storytelling, and financial transparency, he is creating professional pathways and global exposure for young Kenyan players.
By: Joseph James Udoh | WBN NEWS Africa / Nashville | March 4, 2026
In 2019, while still a student, Hayes Cannup founded JerseyBird, a global sportswear design and manufacturing company that began by producing custom jerseys for teams worldwide. What started as apparel for national squads and grassroots clubs has evolved into something far deeper active investment in football development and storytelling.
In partnership with Mathias Olander, Cannup acquired 50 percent of Kahawa Pride FC, a Nairobi-based club competing in Kenya’s lower football tiers. The move blended entrepreneurship with long-term community impact.
By investing directly in Kahawa Pride FC, Cannup has helped establish “a structured football environment where young players… can train, compete, and grow as athletes.”
Children as young as five now experience organized coaching, competitive fixtures, and a pathway often missing in informal settings.
Equally transformative is the club’s digital presence. Through the YouTube series “Road to the Kenyan Premier League,” the team’s journey from tactics sessions to personal player stories, reaches a global audience.
“Young talent gets a chance to be seen by a global audience,” creating visibility that can attract scouts and sponsors.
Under Cannup’s involvement, Kahawa Pride has also embraced transparent financial reporting, publicly demonstrating how revenue from jersey sales, memberships, and advertising directly supports meals, housing, equipment, and travel. Improved living spaces, including the players’ residence known as the Lion’s Den, reflect a commitment to sustainability.
This initiative is more than branding; it is about building pathways. As Kahawa Pride grows, so does belief within its community, and with continued structure and exposure, the future for Nairobi’s young footballers looks brighter than ever.
TAG: #Hayes Cannup #Jersey Bird #Kenyan Football #Youth Development #Sports Business
Joseph James Udoh is a Columnist/WBN News contributor and Editor of Africa Editions.
He covers local stories, business insights, and inspiring human-interest topics. With a background in computer science, theology, and human resource leadership, he is passionate about digital empowerment and helping people thrive.
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