The league your 10-year-old plays in does not award participation trophies, but some team's coaches buy trophies and distribute them to their players. Your child is not on one of those teams.
- What, if anything, do you say to your child's coaches?
- How, if at all, do you approach the subject with league administrators?
- How do you address the situation with your child?
Download and print this Case Study
Posted by David Jacobson at 11/20/2008 02:08:00 PM |
I am a strong advocate of not awarding participation trophies. I think recognition of some type is a must with the younger ages, but as they grow older, I found that just a few positive comments at the end of season gathering about each individual on the team goes a long way to letting the kids know the value each brings to the team. If other teams choose to ignore the league policy, then I explain to the team that trophies must be earned for exceptional effort and success as in the case of league champions or the like. I talk about the life lesson of not getting a trophy just for showing up. Good things and rewards must be earned in life. The McDonald's commercial where the kids who lost the soccer game are loving life because they got McDonald's while all the champs got was a trophy says it all. The trophy is cool for about 5 minutes and then it goes on a shelf at home. Positive experiences and some other rewards have a bigger impact.
Posted by: Mark Busser ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 3:02 PM
|
I may come from a pre-historic generation, but I completely oppose participation trophies. I believe this furthers this era of building false self-esteem. Young kids have diffuclty differentiating between a trophy for participation and a trophy for winning a tournament; thus particpation awards de-value such awards. My kids received so many meaningless participaton medals and trophies over the years that they could fill a truck with them. I would much rather see a season-ending party and have the coach call each kid up and make comments about each player, shake their hands and say "thanks for playing."
Posted by: Jerry Lima ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 3:26 PM
|
First off, you have no business saying anything to your son's coach. The league does not give out 'participation trophies', period. Your child's coach should not be put under any burdon or obligation to keep up with the Trophy Jones.
If you choose to adress the situation with league administrators that is you prerogative. Open discussion regarding rules and regulations is always to be encouraged - go to the board meetings and register your complaint; more importantly, offer your solutions. Be open minded, and please respect the fact that others may not see the situation as you do. You may not get the result you want but you will have had you say - that alone is worth something.
As for your child: Remind him that you love him, tell him he had a great season, and go get some ice-cream together.
Posted by: Matthew Dolan ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 3:35 PM
|
The only conversation I would have would be with my child. It would go something like "Oh well, you were not playing for a participation trophy, were you?"
Since our local sports leagues did provide participation trophies for the younger kids, their rooms are now littered with them.
The only trophies which hold any esteem are those tied to a more significant accomplishment such as a winning season or broken swim record.
Posted by: John ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 3:41 PM
|
This is a league level issue. Individual coaches should not be distributing trophies. You don't approach the individual coaches; you move straight to the league President and the Board.
When speaking with your child, you explain the situation: 1) The other team's coaches bought the trophies on their own, probably against league policy. 2) It was not a league award or a skills award. 3) This shouldn't have happened, and it is not a reflection on you as an individual player.
Posted by: Larry Briggi ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 3:44 PM
|
I would say nothing to my child's coaches, but I would organize the other parents on my child's team to buy gifts for the kids and to ask the coaches to hand them to the kids at the end-of-season party. It's a nice token of appreciation for the effort that the kids have made during the season.
I would tell the club's administrators that it would be a good idea to do so and possibly do some research on companies that make these trophies and send the links to the club's administrators.
I'd take my child to an ice-cream place.
Posted by: Alex ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 3:45 PM
|
I am really interested in hearing everyone's feedback on this one.
Two parts of the discussion-
1. Should coaches be prohibited from giving participation awards or gifts?
2. How do you address it when your child feels snubbed?
1. This falls under the category of coaches gifts, and I personally am a big fan of anything a coach can do to make the kids feel appreciated. I know it creates equity problems as all coaches can not afford to give material gifts, but if we only do what the minimum coach can or is willing to do,is that the right answer? A creative coach can do a lot without spending a bunch of money. We did an end of year "magazine" with the kids team photo on the cover and one inside panel was customized with a personal message to each player. The coaches read some highlights of each kids panel outloud at the team party (while thanking each player for their participation over the season). It beat the heck out of any trophy! So I say Yes to coaches who want to go above and beyond!
2. What do you do when your child's coaches are not so inclined? Age old issue, pull others down or push yours up? You could go to the league, ban gifts, force the league to buy for all, etc... or focus on the positive. Take the oportunity to focus your child on the bigger picture (the Christmas story...lol). "wow that is great that Jimmy's coach gave them trophies. Let's talk about what you got from Mr. Smith this year... He helped you work on your off hand, your team played really well togther, you all had a bunch of laughs, you guys had a pizza party, what was your favorite thing about the season?". Teaching your kid that there are bigger and more valuable things then trophies is important. This doesn't mean you can't champion other team "gifts" ideas to give your players. Walmart framed team pictures (the kids love the silly ones) are always great gifts. Be creative, teach the big picture, and don't pull other teams down... just 'cause Bobby didn't get one.
Posted by: Chris Carroll ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 4:01 PM
|
First of all I would never approach a coach after the season because some other team gave participation trophies. What I may do if I felt that the children at that age group should get a participation award. I would do the following
-Approach the coach and parents before the season ends and ask if he would mind if the parents pitched in to purchase trophies for the team.
-Before the season ends approach the league asking them if they would purchase participation awards for the league all being the same and distributed them at the end of the season. I feel this would be the better approach since then the question is how big or ornate did one teams trophy get over anothers.
As far as addressing my child with this I have found if the team gets something/anything they are satisfied. I have found that there is no need to go to deep with them on this subject. I can only say that my three boys went through this and they have no scars.
After the trophies who pays for the pizza party? Is that the responsibility of the coach also?
Posted by: Dan DeMaio ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 4:16 PM
|
I do not agree with giving trophies just for participation. It takes away from aspiring to get a trophy for acomplishing something. They have certificates for participation and I am for all for that. I know they are only 10 year olds but I think we don't allow the kids aspire to learn hard work and team play is what will get you a trophy.
Posted by: Joe V ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 6:03 PM
|
I have coached through this exact situation. It is important to address this with the parents and team. There is lots of literature about rewarding average work: we increase average work. A meaningless trophy is really just for the parents to show off. Kids know what they deserve and what is hollow praise. We need to give the kids more credit.
Leagues have a hard time policing end of season parties, but they probably could do more to discourage participation trophies.
Posted by: Pamela ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 8:14 PM
|
One thing that has been brought up in another league of ours was to have your awards ceremony away from other teams/players as a courtesy and to save alot of heart ache with the children.
Posted by: steven ( Email: ) at 11/20/2008 9:17 PM
|
First let me say that this case study is all too real in our county leagues. I have always participated with my son's and daughter's team as either a manager, coach and in some cases I have served on the board. We usually know the leagues intention at the beginning of the season.
I have always suggested that the leagues should provide some token of appreciation which does not always have to be a trophy. It could be at-shirt with the Parks and Recreation league advertisement, coupons for an ice cream cone, or even host a league cookout at the end of the season. This cookout could be during the championship game so all teams would be at this event. If the league chooses not to have a participation trophy or any of the suggested that I have made then I have always encouraged that our team have something for the players.
If I was the manager of the team then we always had an end of the season party. Usually the coaches would pitch in to cover the cost. Sometimes other parents wanted to help as well. These parties consisted of some type of recreation, food and then we rewarded each player with a trophy, plaque, etc. We would always recognize each player as to why they were special to the team and that we hoped that they played again next season.
If some reason the league or the coach does not provide any of the above, then I remind my child that the reward was having fun playing the sport that they love. Then our family could go and have our own celebration and recognize our child on their accomplishment for that season.
Posted by: Coach Steve ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 12:57 AM
|
A good coach would address league policies, team policies and player expectations during the "team meeting" at the start of the season. Nobody should be surprised at what happens, or doesn't happen, at the end of the season. I am not a big fan of participation trophies once players are beyond entry level sports (such as T-Ball, flag football, etc.). Part of the youth sports experience is to learn life-long lessons, and at some point the parent should expect that their child will learn that rewards come with effort. However, as a coach, I always make sure the players are "rewarded" throughout the season. For example, players on my 3rd/4th grade football team can earn helmet award decals for good hustle, great plays, etc. The coaches work hard to make sure every player has earned at least a few decals by the end of the year. Trophy or not, each player will have felt they were rewarded for their contributions to the team.
Posted by: Jay Stolfi ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 5:23 AM
|
Coaches honor the hard work of their players in many ways and I applaud all of that. While my kids have been fortunate to win many trophies over the years, I found that they react just as much if not more so to other ways they are congratulated for giving their best efforts during the season. They enjoy a cake and a party. During the party, I acknowledge contributions that each player has made in front of their teammates and parents and the entire group for working together as a team. While I have never gone out and bought trophies, I have had certificates made up and given them fun gifts and they enjoy that. But, most of all, they appreciate it when you give them a pat on the back and thank them for their great effort, whatever the outcome of the season.
Posted by: Jim Matthews ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 6:11 AM
|
We know that might be an issue, so we wait until after the last game of that season. Meet at a resturant and have a little banquet. We do a little speech and hand out the trophies. The kids care more about playing with each other than anything. Some parents don't like how it is handled but I am only there for the kids. I don't get paid for it so I only worry about how the kids feel after the season, win or lose.
Posted by: Herb Baum ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 6:42 AM
|
I think the participation trophy idea is ridiculous both as a coach and parent. Kids need to understand in the real world excellence is rewarded not simply participation. If sports are supposed to prepare kids for the real world then this is a good way to start. A discussion with your child would be a good way to begin the process.
Posted by: Terri Herigstad ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 6:50 AM
|
First of all as a coach, we all come from different walks of life and various income levels etc etc etc...
Personnally I donate a lot of my time away from work, and personally paying for individual trophies is not feasible for me. Every coach is different and every league is different as to what they allow. As an alternative to trophies etc I host a year end party where I serve ice cream and toppings and we have a pot-luck with people bringing what they want to share and throw on the grill, and have an "awards" ceremony.
Also, my experience with trophies is that they sit somewhere and collect dust and have little meaning a year or so later (even less with 10 yr olds)... or get turning into street hockey pucks.
As a league adminstrator our policy is that it is generally at the coaches' discretion.
As a parent one solution if trophies etc are so important, suggest them getting some funds together from the group of parents and purchasing them and have the coach present them at the end of the year.
Posted by: Coach Z ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 7:30 AM
|
As a coach and one that has grown up loving sports for the joy, blood, sweat, and tears much more than any memorabilia, I have to admit I've never been fond of just issuing out "participation" trophies. That said, though, I have done it, especially if other coaches in the league are doing so or with the youngest of players just being introduced to sports. The difference being that I try to tie the award to specific accomplishments, work ethic, etc of each individual which is not always easy but doable. My preference and what I plan to do this season that is just getting underway coaching 11-12 year olds, is to help them set individual goals as well as practice and team standards and those that achieve these get an end of season trophy. I hope and plan that everyone on my team gets one, but it's not so much up to me and they will know where they stand towards this throughout the season. I am very interested in feedback and commentary and especially any insight on how to handle the boy(s) that doesn't get one should that occcur. Sorry if I didn't necessarily answer the questions posted, but hope this spurs some good discussion.
John Moberly
Herndon, VA
Posted by: John Moberly ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 11:19 AM
|
I think it is important to remember that the coach at this age level is typically just another parent who is donating their time to the team. If a parent feels "participation" trophies are important then that may be a way that parent can "donate" to the team/league.
Having said that, and as a current coach at this level for several years, another alternative is to have the boys autograph baseballs as a team and provide one to each member of the team. While doing this you can discuss the importance of team work/play/representation, etc. This also tends to build a great team comraderie.
The signed ball is also something a player can keep to remember who was on their team (I always suggest that one of their team mates may be famous some day so be sure to keep the ball). Best case they feel proud to be part of the team and have a good symbol of participation - particularly if it is an all star team that they were selected for. Worst case they go out and play with the ball and therefore increase their skills.
Posted by: Bryan Langerud ( Email: ) at 11/21/2008 12:29 PM
|
I have never been a huge fan of participation trophies, but with that said am more than willing to give them out to the very young age, 5-7 year olds. More importantly it is memories and life lessons that we should be distributing. I can tell you from my childrens point that trophies are great, for this season. Long lost when they move to the next sport. Positive or negative memories are what stick with them. I try and teach my kids three things in sports that will always keep the "team focus" and not individual accomplishments. "Work hard, Listen and Respect, (respect coaches, respect officials, respect teamates, respect opponents and respect the game)". It's our daily mantra when going to a practice or game. If they take this away instead of a trophy I think we have had a great season.
Posted by: Dan Ghiorso ( Email: ) at 11/23/2008 9:07 AM
|
My emphasis to the players on my team would have to be in defining the true value of an accomplishmnet. Trophies end up in the garage in boxes, and in my case I one day threw them all away. But the memories and character building elements of great performances will always remain in the mind and in the heart. It might be difficult for young ones to fully understand this but eventually it will make sense to them.
Posted by: Rick Figueiredo ( Email: | Visit ) at 11/24/2008 6:48 AM
|
The awarding of trophies for participation is common in many leagues and I have done this on several teams I have coached when the players were young 6, 7, 8.
I always present the trophies at a team party so that no other team sees them. I also always asked parents if they wanted trophies and they paid for them.
That being said I feel that leagues and coaches give out too many trophies. This devalues the trophies. Trophies should be earned for winning a league. If you want to reward the players have a team party and have the coach say a few nice words about each player. I have written most of my players letters over the years and given them out at the team party. This means more than their sixth unearned trophy.
Posted by: Paul Felici ( Email: ) at 11/24/2008 4:01 PM
|
Having coached in various sports for over thirty years it has been my observation that we give out way too many awards. If you think about the typical child, they play a sport from age 5 through 18 a total of 13 years. Most average at least two sports per year. Most will get two participation trophies at least seven of those years. The other six years they will make all-star teams or select teams and participate in multiple tournamnets and average at least three trophies per year per sport. At this average rate the child will have accumlated around 50 trophies. They soon forget what any of the trophies were for and lesson the value of the award. I often wonder if we are adding to the give it to me I deserve it just because attitude that many of our young people seem to have aquired. I personally think the parent should thank the coach for not getting wrapped up in the culture of an award just for participating. To take it one step further go to the Board of Directors and try to convince them that trophies should not be handed out like compliments and ask for a league policy limiting trophies for actual accomplishments. Participation in a sport is a privilege to be earned not owed an award for. The coach should be giving verbal and public praise to each player for their individual accopmplishments throughout the season and at the season ending get together. This praise will be remembered long after they forget about a participation award.
Posted by: Coach Carter ( Email: ) at 11/25/2008 5:15 AM
|
1. As a parent, you should not worry about your child getting a participation trophy. You should worry about whether your child is trying to learn and improve and is respectful of the coaches, players, and game. However, if you think the trophies would add some luster to a difficult season, it's worth mentioning to the coach that the parents want to do something for the kids. Most coaches would not care if the parents want to organize a trophy giveaway.
2. A parent should not bother the league administrators with complaints that other teams give their players trophies. That is the kind of entitlement and crybaby attitude that shows a misunderstanding of sports. What business is it to any other team if another team gives out its own trohpies? Those trophies aren't official and don't mean anything.
3. If your child doesn't notice that other teams give themselves trophies, you shouldn't concern yourself. If your child comments on it, you tell your child that the trophies that matter are the ones they have to work for. If I asked my children if they would want a trophy for pulling on their uniform pants and jersey, they would laugh at me.
Posted by: Eric Bender ( Email: ) at 11/25/2008 9:23 AM
|
In response to Chris' question regarding coaches gifts, I coached for many years always felt uncomfortable about receiving a gift from the players/parents. I got to the point where I made it clear that I did not want a gift (my wife helped with this). I have always stated that I am not coaching for any compensation or gifts; I coach because I love to coach, I love helping kids, and I love the game. My parents understood how I felt about it and they would present me a nice framed-team photo or a photo collage. Even this is somewhat embarrassing, yet it was much more meaningful than a gift certificate for dinner somewhere. Having said this, I am the first to contribute when someone is collecting funds for a coaches gift, so perhaps that makes me a hypocrit! The bottom line is that a coach should never expect such a gift and yet it is appreciated and meaningful because it means something to the givers as well. We try to teach grace and humility, and a coach can drive this home with the manner in which he/she handles gifts.
Posted by: Jerry Lima ( Email: ) at 11/25/2008 1:25 PM
|
I apologize to "Chris," as I mis-read the question. I thought it asked about coaches getting/receiving gifts when it was actually about coaches giving gifts to their players. Sorry!
Posted by: Jerry Lima ( Email: ) at 11/25/2008 1:44 PM
|
First I would ask my son/daughter if it bothers them that another team is getting trophies-if they say it doesn't bother them or it does I would still respond by asking them what they learned/did they make new friends/did they have fun(they will say yes to at least to one of those)--then I would comment to them "wow those are great rewards" aren't they? and then I would change the subject and move on and still have extra space in my basement before they go to college!!
Posted by: Bill ( Email: ) at 12/4/2008 8:28 AM
|
When I grew up playing we always received participation trophies. To me it never was a bad thing or I never felt like mediocrity was being rewarded if we didn't win. I knew the stakes, I knew if we won we would get a bigger trophy. However, today is a different time and kids have so many things that those types of trophies are not valued like they used to be "back in the day".
We recently passed a league policy of which I was a board member asking coaches to NOT provide participation trophies. Our minors and majors level teams play championships and the winners receive trophies for a successful season. The trophies are awarded on the field immediately after the game and everyone has a good time.
The fact of the matter is win or lose most kids are only going to care where they're going for pizza or ice cream a half an hour after the game is finished. Unless of course it's a state championship game, then it might take an hour or two. But coaches and parents will replay the game for hours, days, weeks and even months after wondering what could have been done differently for a more favorable outcome. I like to call that perspective, something many parents lose in youth sports.
Posted by: Mike ( Email: ) at 12/4/2008 10:39 PM
|
I would say nothing to the coach.
I would say nothing to the league admin.
I would be sure throughout the season that my child's contributions were recognized and valued. If they are taught that they are valuable to the team, they do not need trophies or even ice cream...they will feel satisfied with the fun they had.
Posted by: Marci ( Email: ) at 12/9/2008 9:10 PM
|
From T-Ball to minors I have always given out small participation trophies at our year end ice cream social. These only cost a few dollars each ($3.50) but represent a lot more to these youngsters.
I know my youngster has a trophy shelf which he takes great pride in. Some are earned trophies and some are participation trophies. To him they are all the same. A source of pride and accomplishment, which I am certain has had positive influence on his self-esteem and confidence through his formative years.
Sadly, for some of my players, these participation trophies may be the only ones they receive growing up. They are just as much a source of pride for them as well.
This year the league put in place a new policy that no trophies would be handed out since Our Competivie Minors and Majors level teams play championships and the winners receive trophies. The reasoning for players younger than that age group (we have an Instructional Minors League also) is that they will have their chance to earn a trophy when they are older and in the playing Competitive Leagues.
There seemed to be no joy in closing out a great season, just a "see you next year" and no real finality for these kids. Even though the players knew that no trophies would be given out due to the new policy, some of them discussed it and also expressed their dissapointment.
I suppose that efter several years of the standard being in place it will be the "norm" for the kids. However, I just can't help feeling that we are losing something special for the little buggers. I know I haven't thrown out any of my childhood trophies, no matter how trivial.
Posted by: Sean ( Email: ) at 12/10/2008 10:33 AM
|
I dont see a problem with a parent aproaching a coach to share an opinion there should be a certain relationship with the coach and his parents. My suggestion is that individual trophies or gifts can be handed out to a team for team achievement such as: most punctual team member, outstanding goal keeper, leading goal scorer for the team, outstanding defender, and even a kid that did not do so well in all the categories. You make up something that is relevant to him/her and so on, you make up relevant team categories to allow everyone to obtain a gift or trophy. This is very encouraging to young kids some of whom need special motivation to continue the sport. This can be a decision between the parent body and the coaching staff. There are times when kids did not do well in the overall tournament however it was a great performance for that particular team. This was their first try at the sport playing against kids who are very good in the sports. So a little motivation will be good.
Posted by: victor campbell ( Email: ) at 12/11/2008 12:21 PM
|
Earning awards - this seems to find its way in most dissenting replies.
If we are talking about pre-high school age youngsters, get the idea of “rewarding excellence” out of your thinking. Many of these kids have little to do with their success and mostly to do with their circumstance at that age. Do you want to punish the 10 year old whose neglectful parent doesn’t get them to practice? Or the one whose physical development has their hands and feet not talking to each other yet (some times with varying birth dates children are 10-15% percent older or as much as 25% more developed then the kids they are being compared against)? If we really want to only give awards based on merit, maybe we should just give them directly to the parents then? It is either the genes and/or their mini van that truly deserves the lion’s share of the credit. There are some sports (early development sports) that require excellence and aptitude at a very early age (gymnastics in particular). For all others, let them develop before we deem them not worthy. Unless of course, you only want the kids who earned it to come back next season?
Posted by: Chris ( Email: ) at 12/11/2008 5:37 PM
|
I believe participation trophies at younger ages (6-8) plant the seeds of youth sports being far more important than they really are to children and their parents. Playing sports is fun, and that should reward enough. Do we reward kids for playing tag? Or shooting hoops in the driveway with their friends? It sets the stage for playoffs in rec programs as young as seven, eliminating the weaker teams the first week, the very teams that need more play team to develop their skills, as opposed to season ending festivals that celebrate the season for the whole league. Participation trophies are the seemingly harmless first step of a process that turns youth sports into a mini-varsity professional setting. I hope that some local town boards never discover "tag" as a sport. Before you know it, travel leagues will form, and we'll have a legion of children around the country deemed not good enough to play tag.
Posted by: Frank Mc Mahon ( Email: ) at 12/16/2008 7:19 AM
|
I have always given out baseballs or tee balls or some other kind of equipment to players not as an award but rather to encourage them to continue. I have run into the problem of other coaches that say that it is not their responsibility to do this which I believe that to be against everything that Little League or Pop warner is about. But the parents that I get as well as the kids always excel and continue to grow in their sports. If this is wrong then we should not be teaching sports to younger children and just start age 11 since that is the age taken to Williamsport anyway.
Posted by: richard solomon ( Email: ) at 12/22/2008 5:25 AM
|
Coaches at the youth level are volunteers. The coach loves his/her sport and loves his/her players. If a coach is financially able to provide a memory for the players of the team then so be it. Remember the coach poured out his/her life and time out to the team and to each kid, who is anyone else to say that the player can't have a memento of this time spent together.
What should be said to the child not getting a trophy of this time spent? The parent should enforce that the effort the child gave and the ability he/she developed is their trophy and that will stay with them for life. It won't just sit on a shelf gathering dust but will serve them always. Because the bond between a good coach and his or her players is a lasting one the parent should enforce the memory of the season and the good times and lessons learned. It's not about getting a gift or trophy at the end of the year. It's about what the child takes away for his/her life's memories.
I have given a game ball to each player on the team one or two sometimes three game balls would be given out through the duration of the season. This way the player will always remember when he was special. Granted sometimes you have to be very creative for a reason to give a game ball to an under gifted player. However I always was able to find something and there was never a player on my team that at least one time in the season didn't get a game ball signed by me and all of the assistant coaches.
Posted by: Danny DiSantis ( Email: ) at 1/19/2009 9:08 PM
|
I grew up playing in leagues that did not give a trophy unless you won that season. We did have a round robin playoff aside from the the two teams playing for the "World Series". This gave the other teams a chance to win a trophy too. I totally disagree with participation trophies. They are useless and collect dust while lessening the value of the meaningful trophies. I also believe that the younger leagues (5-7 yrs) should get recognition awards since many players are not fully developed yet. I have seen some kids that were not great while younger blossom into fine ball players as they got older. I would hate to discourage these young players by giving them the impression that they are not worthy while still young. After the age of 8- and up they should have to earn their trophy. Many of the kids that some feel will never be good enough to win will still win by being on winning teams. I love teaching kids the sport of baseball and will do whatever is required of me to do so. Even if it means giving participation trophies. I just don't agree with this practice. Jerry "Z"
Posted by: Jerry "Z" ( Email: ) at 2/26/2009 6:33 AM
|
I always laugh a people who believe participation trophies teach a poor lesson. It doesn't matter. It's a trophy. For a young child (10 in this case), a trophy is a nice gesture to show you as a coach appreciate all their hard work. This gesture is a good way to assure the children have a positive memory of their experience. Positive memories increase the chances of children continuing to play.
Still, a child isn't going to chose to better himself for a trophy. He'll work hard because he loves the sport and wants to be good. I played college ball. I didn't improve my game for trophies. They were always nice to receive, but the didn't have any influence on the player I became.
Summary: Participation trophies are good, but they don't really matter. However, they're never bad.
Posted by: Millz ( Email: ) at 2/23/2010 8:40 AM
|
You all respond with what you as a coach or parent would do. But has anyone concidered how or what the kids feel? Over the past several years I have asked not only my kids but others about the trophies they received at the end of the season. Unanumusly the ones that showed up to every practice, worked hard, lisened to the coaches, felt the trophies ment nothing, because everyone got one. The kids that came when they felt like it, went through the motions, screwed off, didn't listen to the coaches and wasted everyones time, also did care about the trophies they received. Either way it was a loose, loose situation. Both groups did state that if there were awards that only a few could acheive, but that anyone of any level, had the chance to work for them, they would be more meaningful!!!!
Posted by: Doug T ( Email: ) at 3/14/2010 11:21 AM
|