The Forge FC Captain’s Award, will be awarded to those young athletes that embody the characteristics and values of Forge FC Captain and two-time Canadian Premier League Champion, Kyle Bekker.

This award has been created to inspire young athletes in the Greater Hamilton Area to continue to develop their leadership, teamwork and communication skills, on and off the pitch and represent their city and club with pride.

As a role model to his teammates, the club, young athletes and the citizens of the Greater Hamilton Area, Kyle Bekker strives to make positive change in the community and continuously demonstrates his core values of leadership, teamwork and communication.

The Forge FC Captain’s Award, will honour six (6) young athletes from youth soccer associations across the Hamilton region throughout the 2023 Forge FC season.

The Forge FC Captain’s Award will recognize those athletes that embody the following qualities both on and off the pitch:

• Great leadership skills

• Exceptional teamwork skills

• Community involvement

Each of the six (6) winners will be featured on Forge FC’s social media channel and will receive the following prizes:

• Suite tickets to a 2023 home match

• Meet & greet with Kyle Bekker

• Forge FC merchandise prize pack

Parents and coaches are encouraged to nominate those young athletes who are well deserving of the Captain’s award, based on the outlined qualities.

Do you want to nominate someone for the Forge FC Captain’s Award? 

Fill out the form below!

ABOUT KYLE BEKKER

Born in Oakville, Ontario, Kyle Bekker began his youth soccer career with the Oakville Bluestars where he won back-to-back Ontario Cup Championships in 2004 and 2005, as well as a National Championship in 2004. After his time with the Bluestars, Bekker moved on to the Mississauga Dixie Dominators, where he again won the Ontario Cup in 2006 and 2007, and added another National Championship to his name in 2006.

In 2007, Kyle Bekker also played with Bobby Smyrniotis’ Sigma FC and traveled with the club to the Netherlands where they played eight matches against professional youth academies, and Kyle earned himself a trial with AFC Ajax’s youth academy in Amsterdam.

Over his four years in the Ontario Soccer League, Bekker scored 28 goals and registered 25 assists, which eventually led to interest from colleges in the United States, before Bekker accepted a scholarship to attend Boston College.

During his four years at Boston College, Bekker played in 80 matches, scored 17 goals and added 22 assists. In the summer of 2011 Bekker trained with Toronto FC, and in the summer of 2012 he trained with the Montreal Impact and Seattle Sounders.

In January of 2013, Kyle Bekker signed a contract with Toronto FC. He made his debut for Toronto on March 2, in a 1-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. In January 2015, Bekker was transferred to FC Dallas, where he made his debut on March 14 as a substitute for Fabian Castillo in a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City. A few months later, in July of 2015, Bekker was transferred to the Montreal Impact.

After his time in MLS, Kyle Bekker joined the San Francisco Deltas in the NASL and went on to win the 2017 Soccer Bowl with the Deltas in their inaugural season. After his stint with the Deltas, Bekker signed with USL side North Carolina FC in February of 2018.

In November of 2018, Kyle Bekker joined Forge FC as the Captain of the club and went on to score 4 goals and register 5 assists in the inaugural Canadian Premier League season in 2019. He also started in all four of Forge FC’s CONCACAF matches in 2019. Wrapping up the inaugural season with Forge FC, Kyle Bekker led the club to a victory over rivals Cavalry FC to become the first ever Canadian Premier League Champions. Forge FC won the 2020 Canadian Premier League under his captaincy, as well.