LUKE GALLAGHER

ABOUT ME

Luke Gallagher was born on 25th April 2007 to parents Sandra and Michael. He is the eldest of 2 children and from an early age has always shown a keen interest in sport. Growing up in a family environment that positively encouraged new experiences and challenges. Luke has participated in a range of sports that have developed his all-round physical and mental wellbeing. When he was 3 Luke’s parents enrolled him in a programme called ‘Mini-Kickers’. Mini-Kickers is a programme where children aged 3-5 take part in a wide range of activities designed to improve their physical literacy and get their first touches on a ball. Luke progressed to Giffnock Soccer Centre at the age of 5, where he played for a couple of years before joining Our Lady of the Missions (OLM). Starting at five-a-sides level, he progressed through 7s and 9s to start his first season in 11-a-sides in 2019/20.

Luke excelled as a goalkeeper with his 9 aside team with quick reactions and agility culminating in an end of season local schools’ tournament where Luke achieved a clean sheet in every game resulting in OLM winning the tournament. As he moved into 11’s Luke played central midfield, scoring 7 goals and gathering 5 assists in around 15 games. However, the season was cut short by the first outbreak of coronavirus and the whole county was put into lockdown.

During this challenging period, Luke worked hard on improving his end product, especially his finishing. He was focused and disciplined during home schooling, starting the traditional school day on time and working conscientiously to complete his studies efficiently. Luke realised that this gave him the remainder of the day to work on his football skills and fitness. As all pitches had been locked down Luke was resourceful and purchased equipment that he carried each day to a local grass area and set up his own goal and fitness circuit for a few hours every day. When the youth leagues restarted, Luke was suddenly the standout player on his team, OLM, with his increased pace and dribbling skills his coaches thought he would be of better use as a winger and, even although the 2020/21 season was also interrupted by Covid, Luke scored 18 goals and got 6 assists in 12 games, captaining his team to a cup final and winning player of the season.

Luke is a loyal team player and leads by example both on and off the field and for the 21/22 season OLM were promoted 2 levels based on their 20/21 performance. Luke was focused on developing his skill set further, diligently training by himself early in the mornings resulting in a stellar individual campaign. He scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 17 games. This form was in spite of Luke missing crucial games due to a coronavirus outbreak in his family. Even with this setback Luke was awarded his clubs player of the season for the second consecutive year. During the summer of 2022, Luke attended ACA scholarship trials and impressed enough to become a client of the company.

Luke has enthusiastically trained and competed in a range of sporting activities over the years which have developed his strength, mobility and discipline. These include athletics, swimming, Cross-Fit, Alpine Skiing and has had bi-weekly personal training sessions for over 2 years. In addition, when Luke started high school, he was selected and still participates in his high schools Talented Athletes training programme. Luke is an experienced and accomplished alpine skier and has raced for Glasgow Ski Racing (GSR) for 5 years. Winning several individual and team titles including Under 16 Outdoor Scottish Slalom Champion at the age of 14, he was also part of the GSR team that won Club of the Tournament at the English Alpine Ski Championships for 4 consecutive years. Luke is still an active member of team GSR and in addition he is also an integral member of his schools Senior Ski Team they are the National Scottish Schools Dual Slalom Champions a title they have held over the 4 years Luke has skied for the high school team.

Ski training over the years has included a range of sessions from bi-weekly training slots to intense training and race camps. Luke has taken part in an average of 4 camps per year. Camp is typically 7-14 days in a glacier ski resort in the European Alps, (Italy, France, Austria). Luke, since he was 11 years old, has travelled to resort with the training squad. A typical day at camp involves an early morning start for approx. 5 hours training on the hill, study period for schoolwork, followed by fitness training and then ski preparation for the next day. Camps are intensive and Luke has thrived in this very focused environment building both his skills, comradely and great team spirit.

Luke is best described as somebody who stands out from his peers, in positive ways. Be it his confident stature, competitive yet disciplined attitude or his quick wit and humour. He has the ability to take responsibility in any situation and through his actions leads and inspires those around him to improve and better themselves.

He is a straight talker but also shows compassion as and when required. Luke is laid back in character but in a sporting or academic field is fiercely competitive. He has been brought up to be gracious in victory and no matter how difficult or disappointing a defeat is to always respect and congratulate the opposition.  He has great self-discipline and is motivated to develop himself in any way he can.

Luke now considers football to be his primary sport and he continuously works to improve his speed, agility, balance, strength, stamina and technique on a daily basis. He does this on his own, with his PT and with his teammates.

Luke from an early age has been inquisitive and quick to understand new ideas and skills and this thirst for knowledge has shone through in his academic work. At High School he has challenged himself by choosing a traditional academic subject selection including all 3 sciences. Luke is in the top class in all subjects and he is on track for excellent results as he studies hard to improve and maintain his standards.

Luke is ecstatic at the prospect of travelling to America as a student-athlete. He feels it is the next step in his footballing and academic career and it would be a great all-round experience. He would enjoy and excel at the challenge of developing his academic knowledge whilst looking after himself in a new country, as he has several times before at ski camps. Luke understands that collegiate soccer is played at a high level, both physically and technically, and Luke would relish the opportunity to be a key player in this challenging environment by continuing to improve his footballing ability as part of a talented team.