Presentation of the Youth Athlete of the Month Award for July 2026 to Richard Hanna from the Kidz Total Fitzone program and Jenilyn Saintil from the Sunrise Karate program. Kevin Pickard, Director of Leisure Services.

In 2018, the Sunrise City Commission approved a program to recognize youth athletes in the City Leisure Services programs on a monthly basis. The City established the Youth Athlete of the Month program on February 13, 2018 via Resolution 18-18 as a way of recognizing outstanding youth athletes from the Sunrise recreational, travel and instructional sport programs.

The program recognizes two youth athletes (one male and one female) from different athletic programs each month. The Leisure Services Advisory Board administers the selection process for City operated programs using nominations submitted by volunteer coaches. The City's contractual athletic organizations and instructors administer the selection process for their respective organizations.

Each award recipient receives a City of Sunrise Leisure Services voucher valued at $25.00, which is redeemable as payment towards various Leisure Services Programs. The monthly winners are recognized at a City Commission meeting and the City Commission provides each recipient with a certificate of recognition.