Should kids get a trophy just for playing

[TheLonelySquire]

I'm going to coach youth sports this year. I'm not sure what the policy on this will be. We're talking about kids between 8-11. Should these kids all receive trophies at the end of the year or just the kids on the top few teams? I think if they all receive one it takes away from the meaning of winning.

 

[Jono]

When I was a kid I was only part of a few events that gave participation awards. I attended a couple of swimming comps that did it where everyone got a white ribbon and the 1-3 got different colour ribbons or medals...I can't remember, I was around 8-9. It is nice to get something for your effort. I was also part of a district rugby team (I was 12) and at the end of the season everyone got a medal with several special medals, best and fairest, best back, best forward (I got that), also given.

As I said it makes you feel good about taking part. Winning isn't everything and sport is about fun, at least it was when I was young. Winning or losing never made that much difference to us, it was about playing with or competing against friends. Sports when you're a kid should be about fun not about a relentless pursuit of victory, leave that to the professionals.

 

[Amaris]

I'm going to coach youth sports this year. I'm not sure what the policy on this will be. We're talking about kids between 8-11. Should these kids all receive trophies at the end of the year or just the kids on the top few teams? I think if they all receive one it takes away the meaning of winning.

Why can't there be two prizes? One for winning (the trophy), and one for the hard work and effort put into the game, even if you didn't win (say, a ribbon or certificate). You can reward success while also encouraging hard work and effort.


J.

 

[Starbreaker]

There's nothing wrong with having a participation trophy. It's something you can always have.

 

[Jadzia]

I think if they all receive one it takes away from the meaning of winning.

Totally. What you can offer to everyone is a "token gesture", to praise them for taking part, but it should be small and insignificant compared to the trophy.

I've always hated awards and compliments being given too liberally. Some people make a habit of giving praise for the slightest things, which can be insulting to those who've received awards in the past for something that genuinely deserved it. Awards should be reserved for a minority, and a minimal standard of deservedness should be upheld. And I think it should be a considered judgement of both effort and achievement as to who should receive an award.

 

[Data Holmes]

Totally. What you can offer to everyone is a "token gesture", to praise them for taking part, but it should be small and insignificant compared to the trophy.

I've always hated awards and complements being given too liberally. Some people make a habit of giving praise for the slightest things, which can be insulting to those who've received awards in the past for something that genuinely deserved it. Awards should be reserved for a minority, and a minimal standard of deservedness should be upheld. And I think it should be a considered judgement of both effort and achievement.

Indeed.

 

[Marc]

There's nothing wrong with having a participation trophy. It's something you can always have.

I had partipation awards when I was playing soccer, australian rules football and cricket at different stages when I was in primary school and that was 27 and more years ago.

It's nothing new.

 

[John Picard]

There's nothing wrong with having a participation trophy. It's something you can always have.

Yes, there is. It means that there's a reward just for being there. An award should only be given to performances and exceed expectation. Just like keeping score. There will always be winners and losers.

 

[Pingfah]

I don't think it is too big a deal either way as long as you still reward those that excel on a separate basis.

But I do think that sports at that age is about motivating kids and getting them fit and healthy. That's the really important thing here, however that can be achieved best is what should be done. Seems like there should be better ways of achieving it than handing out trophies to everyone.

If kids understood that while it's important to try to excel at everything you do, but that if you can't excel at something then rather than getting despondant you should go and find something you are good at and work on that instead, and that losing isn't a bad thing if you take it with dignity and did your best, they wouldn't need trinkets handing out to re-enforce their self esteem.

 

[Bloodwhiner]

Participation trophies make the adults feel good because they think they are building self-esteem in the kids. The kids know they are getting the booby prize and could care less about it.

If your league is part of AYSL wait until you see the idiot rules you'll have to contend with - no score keeping until age 8, no goalies until age 10 (that includes any defensive player standing in the goal box, they can only run through it) were my two favorites. My wife and I were both FIFA trained and were the bane of the youth soccer overlords existence.

They were even more upset when our team (selected by blind draft) went undefeated and un-scored on during the season. We were told our team wasn't being fair to the others.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Participation trophies make the adults feel good because they think they are building self-esteem in the kids. The kids know they are getting the booby prize and could care less about it.

If your league is part of AYSL wait until you see the idiot rules you'll have to contend with - no score keeping until age 8, no goalies until age 10 (that includes any defensive player standing in the goal box, they can only run through it) were my two favorites. My wife and I were both FIFA trained and were the bane of the youth soccer overlords existence.

They were even more upset when our team (selected by blind draft) went undefeated and un-scored on during the season. We were told our team wasn't being fair to the others.

Haha. That's funny! Good for you and your wife.

Just wait until I unleash my 1/2 Brazilian daughter on the other pre-schoolers in soccer! She's only one, but hey I gotta plan ahead.

 

[TheMurph]

A participation certificate for the losers, trophies for the top three teams.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

A participation certificate for the losers, trophies for the top three teams.

Makes sense. That way you have the winners getting something very distinct and obviously more valuable than the certificate--but the certificate will be a good memento (though I suspect they'll appreciate it much more when they're older).

 

[TheLonelySquire]

A participation certificate for the losers, trophies for the top three teams.

Usually there's a gathering at the end of the year for everyone. Isn't that enough? Aren't the thanks from teammates and coaches enough? They NEED to get a certificate too?

**Actually, upon further consideration, perhaps kids that don't receive a trophy should get a certificate. Some are forced into it by their parents and maybe this would give them the impetus to be more involved. And others that just missed out on the trophy would likely toss out the certificate and go for the trophy harder the next time.**

 

[Gertch]

Should these kids all receive trophies at the end of the year or just the kids on the top few teams?

Childhood is a slow introduction to the real world. In the real world we have winners and losers. Reward the winners and that will spur some of the others to work harder to become winners. Of course explaining this to the kids during the practices will help them understand.

 

[sidious618]

I find it sad that everything has to be a competition. They're young. Just let them learn the game and play. No need to keep score.

 

[RoJoHen]

A participation certificate for the losers, trophies for the top three teams.

Usually there's a gathering at the end of the year for everyone. Isn't that enough? Aren't the thanks from teammates and coaches enough? They NEED to get a certificate too?

**Actually, upon further consideration, perhaps kids that don't receive a trophy should get a certificate. Some are forced into it by their parents and maybe this would give them the impetus to be more involved. And others that just missed out on the trophy would likely toss out the certificate and go for the trophy harder the next time.**

I know that I probably would have been sad playing little league if I had not received a participation trophy. Hell, I was the last one on the team to receive the Game Ball...and that's only because they felt obligated to give one to everyone.

RoJoHen - shitty at sports

I think a certificate is a good idea. Or maybe a pin to put on their uniform, something that says that they were on "this team, this year" in case they play again next year.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

I find it sad that everything has to be a competition. They're young. Just let them learn the game and play. No need to keep score.

Organized sports is about competition. As is life. I don't think a child should be forced into it at all though.

If other parents feel as you do you could probably pretty easily form a neighborhood group and have your kids play pickup games without keeping score.

 

[Starbreaker]

And then let's take the kids home and beat them because they didn't win.

Actually saw this happen as a kid... there's no reason for everyone not to get something for being involved. It's not the MLB or the NFL. It's little league.

 

[RoJoHen]

And then let's take the kids home and beat them because they didn't win.

Actually saw this happen as a kid... there's no reason for everyone not to get something for being involved. It's not the MLB or the NFL. It's little league.

Agreed. I mean, a party at the end is awesome, but it's nice to be able to take something home with you at the end.