CRAIG KNAPTON COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
Honouring young leaders who get kids off the sidelines and into the game.
About the Craig Knapton Community Spirit Award
The Craig Knapton Community Spirit Award was created in honour of Athletics for Kids founder Craig Knapton, whose vision was to ensure every child had the opportunity to experience the lifelong benefits of sport.
Since founding Athletics4Kids in 2002, Craig has served as a Director, President, and Past President. Through his leadership, dedication, and commitment to community, he has helped shape Athletics4Kids and create opportunities for children and youth across British Columbia.
Presented annually, this $500 award recognizes an Athletics4Kids-funded athlete who demonstrates teamwork, collaboration, perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to giving back through volunteering, mentoring, fundraising, or other meaningful contributions.
2026 Recipient – Arya Rakhshani
Soccer has been at the heart of Arya’s journey since he first joined his club at just six years old. Over the years, he has grown as an athlete while also becoming a referee, volunteer, developing coach and mentor, giving his time and experience back to the next generation of athletes.
Arya is now continuing his formal coaching development while working toward his Canada Soccer/Concacaf C Licence. His commitment to giving back extends beyond the soccer field, having also supported and coached younger basketball players to help build their skills, confidence and love of sport.
His journey has come full circle: the young athlete who once benefited from the opportunities and community that sport provided is now helping create those same opportunities for others.
This fall, Arya will begin studying Psychology at Capilano University while continuing his passion for sport and giving back, with a dream of one day creating more accessible opportunities for young people to participate in sport.
In Arya’s own words, “leadership means serving others.” That belief is exactly the kind of community spirit the Craig Knapton Community Spirit Award was created to celebrate.
2025 Recipient – Besty Y.
Seeing that her school didn’t have a track and field program, Besty didn’t wait for someone else to fix it—she stepped up. She rallied classmates, recruited teachers, and helped launch a team from the ground up.
What began as a modest idea has grown into a thriving program of more than 80 athletes, with many students advancing all the way to provincials.
A black belt in taekwondo and a dedicated volunteer, Besty empowers others through mentorship—teaching confidence, discipline, and resilience as both an instructor and a tutor. Now coaching youth runners, she continues to inspire, lead, and uplift the young people around her—truly embodying the spirit of this award and the legacy of Craig Knapton.
Application Information
Applications are now closed.
Applications for the 2026 Craig Knapton Community Spirit Award are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who applied, and congratulations to our 2026 recipient, Arya Rakhshani.
Information about the 2027 award and application period will be shared next year.
The Craig Knapton Community Spirit Award is part of the broader Craig Knapton Legacy at A4K—keeping his vision alive by supporting the next generation of leaders in sport.