Participation Trophies

[Anonymous]

You missed the point - actually, for some of our parents, even the cost of the ribbon is outside the budget so those of us who can quietly pick it up. So, I bet you are wrong about "gladly covering their share."

[Anonymous]

I got the point but I didn't get the scenario, and there are several. If some families can't cover $5 then yes of course parents cover for them if the team goes ahead and gets ribbons or trophies. That happens all the time. It also happens that one parent picks up a team expense for all families, all families are in a positiont to pay but that parent doesn't collect.

I manage my child's team. I am very sensitive to the range of cash flows among families on my child's team.

[Anonymous]

When I was a kid and played farm league, we received trophies, but I never saw it as an "accomplishment" thing; it was more of a cool memento for participating in the season. I also participated in gymnastics, where I got ribbons if I placed in the event. I was definitely more psyched about the ribbons b/c I knew they represented an actual achievement.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm sure the kids realize they're not "winning" the trophy. But at that age, it is a cool thing to have (my memory is of gilded statues atop lustrous marble). That said, I can't imagine a kid is going to care too much if the team doesn't do them -- kids are generally oblivious to this sort of thing until it's given to them (unless big bro or sis has received a collection). I can see doing away w/ them for the cost issue, or perhaps the landfill issue, but I wouldn't stress too much about the disillusionment issue.

[Anonymous]

16:51 My sentiments exactly. A trophy can be a souvenir! If the kids are older enough to kick a ball around the field and know which goal is their team's, they're old enough to know the difference between a merit trophy and a souvenir trophy.

[Anonymous]

On DS' travel soccer team the coaches put together jokey certificates for each kid. The certificates have something personal but funny about each kid. It must be a lot of work for the coaches, so we give them nice gifts at the end of the season....

[Anonymous]

Yes, my husband and a neighbor coached my son's baseball team for years and gave them funny certificates with nicknames, e.g. " 'The Mailman', because he always delivers"). These boys are now in high school and still love to joke around about that stuff. As for the participation trophies, my son's are buried in the back of the closet, though he treasures the ones given for actual accomplishment, whether athletic or for best team spirit.