Exciting Changes at KSC!
We are proud to announce that Barbyose Noisette has officially transitioned into the role of Executive Director of Kensington Soccer Club, following her three and a half year tenure as Executive Program Director.
Kensington Soccer Club has been shaped by the steady, values-driven leadership of Jim Hardy, a teacher at Kensington Health Sciences Academy who founded KSC and has volunteered as its executive director for the past 16 years. His vision and commitment helped transform a small, volunteer-led effort into a trusted youth development nonprofit serving thousands of young people and families across Philadelphia. Alongside Jim, his parents Dan Hardy and Pat Hardy and countless other volunteers have played a profound role in the life of the organization, shaping KSC into what it is today.
Under their collective leadership, KSC has built more than programs; we’ve built a culture rooted in access, dignity, and belonging. KSC has grown in size and scope, but also in trust, credibility, and impact: always grounded in the belief that a young person’s opportunity to play, learn, and lead should never be limited by a family’s ability to pay. That foundation was built over years of direct service and hands-on leadership, community relationships, and care that has allowed the organization to evolve thoughtfully in response to community needs while remaining true to its mission.
Kensington Soccer Club now enters its next chapter. Program demand increases year after year and new challenges and opportunities require expanded staff roles, partnerships, and infrastructure. Jim Hardy and Barbyose Noisette have been co-directing the organization for the past year in anticipation of this transition. Now that Barbyose is officially stepping into the Executive Director position, Jim is starting a new role as an advisory CEO. Together they embrace the heart of KSC’s mission and have taken on these new roles to help KSC grow sustainably.
Barbyose brings a combination of vision and execution that has been central to strengthening programs, supporting staff development, and building systems that allow KSC to serve more young people while maintaining high-quality, community-centered programming. She brings deep institutional knowledge, strong relationships, and a clear commitment to ensuring that growth never comes at the expense of the communities KSC exists to serve.
This transition reflects a shared confidence, from the Hardy family, staff, and leadership, that KSC is ready to grow with intention, clarity, and care. With Barbyose stepping into the role of Executive Director, guided by Jim as CEO, the organization remains firmly rooted in its founding values while looking ahead to a future of expanded opportunity and deeper impact.
We are deeply grateful for Jim Hardy’s 16 years of hands-on leadership and for the unwavering dedication of Dan and Pat Hardy, whose contributions have been foundational to KSC’s journey. We are excited for this next chapter under Barbyose’s direction, as Kensington Soccer Club continues to serve as a place of safety, connection, and possibility for young people and families.
