Stop Giving Out Trophies for Youth Sports

The participation trophy debate has raged in youth sports for decades, with passionate advocates on both sides. While the intention behind giving every child a trophy is admirable – to boost self-esteem and encourage continued participation – there are compelling reasons why this practice may actually do more harm than good. Here are three key arguments for why not everyone should receive a trophy in youth sports.

1. Trophies Lose Their Meaning When Everyone Gets One

The fundamental purpose of a trophy is to recognize exceptional achievement, effort, or improvement. When every participant receives the same award regardless of performance, dedication, or growth, trophies become meaningless participation certificates rather than symbols of accomplishment. This devaluation affects not just the current season, but a child’s entire relationship with recognition and achievement.

Consider the child who practiced every day, showed up early, encouraged teammates, and genuinely improved throughout the season. When that athlete receives the same trophy as someone who missed half the practices and showed minimal effort, it sends a confusing message about the value of hard work and commitment. True achievement requires distinction, and meaningful recognition should reflect genuine accomplishment.

Children are remarkably perceptive and understand the difference between earned and given recognition. A trophy that represents real achievement carries emotional weight and pride that a participation trophy simply cannot match. When we eliminate this distinction, we rob young athletes of the opportunity to experience authentic accomplishment.

2. Real Life Doesn’t Give Participation Trophies

One of sports’ most valuable lessons is preparing children for adult realities, and the adult world operates on merit-based recognition. In school, not everyone gets an A regardless of effort. In careers, promotions go to those who excel, not simply those who show up. By creating an artificial environment where everyone wins, we fail to prepare children for a world that will evaluate them based on performance and results.

This doesn’t mean being harsh or discouraging – it means being honest. Children benefit from learning that success requires effort, that improvement takes time, and that setbacks are part of growth. When we shield them from these realities in youth sports, we create an unrealistic expectation that effort alone guarantees reward.

Teaching children to find satisfaction in personal improvement, team contribution, and the joy of playing provides much more valuable life preparation than artificial recognition. These internal motivations will serve them far better than external validation that doesn’t reflect reality.

3. It Diminishes Motivation for Improvement

Perhaps most importantly, participation trophies can reduce motivation rather than increase it. When children know they’ll receive recognition regardless of effort or improvement, some lose the incentive to push themselves, practice harder, or strive for excellence. This creates a ceiling effect where mediocrity becomes acceptable.

Children are naturally competitive and goal-oriented. They want to improve, achieve, and earn recognition through their efforts. When that natural drive is short-circuited by guaranteed rewards, we may inadvertently teach them that minimal effort is sufficient.

A Better Approach

This doesn’t mean abandoning recognition entirely. Coaches and parents can acknowledge effort, improvement, teamwork, and sportsmanship in meaningful ways without defaulting to universal trophies. Verbal recognition, certificates for specific achievements, team photos, or end-of-season celebrations can honor participation while reserving trophies for genuine accomplishment.

The goal should be raising children who understand that real satisfaction comes from personal growth, contribution to team success, and the intrinsic joy of playing sports – not from hollow symbols that everyone receives simply for showing up.

About the author: 

Amy Masters is a sports mom, coach, and club administrator. She has been coaching youth sports for more than 10 years. She started Jr Lions Field Hockey, the youth recreation program for the Hunterdon County community growing it from 40 players in year 1 to 150 players by year 3. A few years later, she saw the love and competitiveness grow then started Omega Field Hockey Club serving NJ and PA players. Before coaching, she was a collegiate field hockey player for Lock Haven University. In her spare time (lol), she is head of marketing for iSport360 and the co-editor of the Youth Sports Survival Guide. The Youth Sports Survival Guide is the largest youth sports newsletter in the world.