Why You Should Consider AFL Premiership Trophies for Junior and Senior Clubs

AFL premiership trophies should represent the significance of winning a season, finals series or grand final. For most Australian Rules clubs, that means choosing one prominent team award, coordinating medals or keepsakes for eligible players and selecting separate trophies for major individual achievements.

Junior and senior clubs may use different sizes, designs and award categories, but the underlying planning process is similar. Define what each award recognises, establish a clear hierarchy and allow enough space for club names, divisions, seasons and recipient details.

This guide explains how to select Australian Rules football trophies for premiership teams, player achievements and end-of-season presentations without ordering more categories than the event genuinely needs.

What should a premiership award program include?

A complete premiership presentation may involve several types of recognition rather than one trophy.

Depending on the competition and club traditions, the program could include:

• A premiership cup for the winning team

• A perpetual trophy or shield for the clubhouse

• Championship medals for eligible players

• A Best on Ground award for the grand final

• Individual player awards at the club presentation

• Recognition for coaches, volunteers or support staff

• Smaller trophies or medals for junior participation

Not every club needs every item. A local junior team may choose one team trophy and individual medals, while a senior club may require a major cup, perpetual shield, player trophies and formal presentation pieces.

The aim is to give each award a clear role. Avoid using several trophies to recognise the same result unless one belongs to the club and another is intended for the player to keep.

Choosing the main AFL premiership trophy

The principal team trophy should be the visual centrepiece of the presentation. It is normally accepted by a captain, coach or team representative and may later be displayed in the clubhouse, school or association office.

Premiership cups

A traditional cup is a familiar choice for grand finals and championship results. It provides visual presence during the presentation and usually offers a clear area for an engraved plate.

When comparing premiership cups, consider:

• The level and significance of the competition

• Whether the cup will remain at the club

• Available trophy-cabinet space

• The size of the engraving area

• How it will be handled during photographs

• Whether the design coordinates with player medals

A larger cup can suit a senior league premiership, but size alone should not determine the choice. Proportion, finish, stability and engraving space are equally important.

Football-themed championship trophies

An Australian Rules figure, oval-ball design or football-themed sculpture gives the trophy an immediate connection to the sport. This can work well for junior and senior teams, particularly when the same product range includes coordinated sizes.

Check that the design represents Australian Rules rather than rugby, soccer or another football code. Ball shape, player pose and equipment should all be appropriate.

Perpetual trophies and shields

Aperpetual trophy records successive winners and becomes part of the competition’s history. It may remain with the league, school or club rather than being permanently given to one team.

Before selecting a perpetual award, check:

• How many winner plates it can accommodate

• Whether winners will be added annually

• The format to be used on each plate

• Where the award will be stored

• Who will arrange future engraving updates

A shield can also provide space for multiple winners while offering a traditional clubhouse presentation. Explore plaques and shields when comparing formats for recurring competitions.

Premiership medals for players

AFL medals give each eligible player a personal record of the team’s achievement. They can complement the main championship trophy without requiring an individual cup for every team member.

Medal personalisation may include:

• Competition or league name

• Premiership or championship title

• Club or team name

• Division or age group

• Season

• Club or competition logo

If recipient names are being added, confirm the final player list carefully. The club should also decide whether coaches, trainers or other officials receive the same medal or a separate form of recognition.

Ribbon colours can reflect the club or competition, while presentation boxes may suit major individual medals. Browse the sports medal range when planning player recognition alongside the main trophy.

AFL player awards for presentation night

The premiership result recognises collective success. Individual awards acknowledge particular performances, development and contributions throughout the season.

Best and Fairest

Best and Fairest is commonly treated as one of a club’s major individual honours. The award design should therefore stand apart from participation trophies and supporting categories.

Suitable options include:

• A substantial football figure trophy

• A premium cup

• A perpetual shield

• A timber or metal plaque

• An acrylic, glass or crystal award

• A custom design featuring the club logo

If the award is determined by votes, confirm the final result before engraving and decide how tied results will be handled.

Best on Ground

A Best on Ground award recognises an outstanding performance in a particular match. For a grand final, it may be one of the most important individual presentations of the day.

The engraving should identify the match rather than only stating the award category. For example:

Grand Final Best on Ground
[Player Name]
[Competition and Division]
[Season]

A distinctive football figure, premium medal or compact trophy can all be appropriate. The best format depends on the importance of the fixture and how the award relates to the rest of the program.

Club Champion

A Club Champion award may consider season-long performance, commitment, leadership and broader contribution. Because criteria differ between organisations, the club should define what the title means before nominations or voting begin.

A perpetual trophy can build a historical record, while an individual award gives the recipient something to keep.

Leading Goal Kicker

A Leading Goal Kicker award is based on a measurable season result. Before engraving the final total, confirm:

• Which matches are included

• Whether finals count

• Whether different teams or divisions are combined

• How tied results will be recognised

• Who holds the official record

A goal-kicking player figure or oval-ball design gives this category a direct visual connection to the achievement.

Rising Star

Rising Star awards can recognise emerging talent, improvement and future potential. The criteria should specify eligibility, particularly when several junior or senior age groups are involved.

This category does not necessarily need the largest trophy, but it should feel distinct from general participation recognition.

Most Improved

Most Improved awards are especially meaningful in junior football because they recognise development rather than only natural ability or match statistics.

The coach or selection group should consider the full season and be ready to explain the recipient’s progress positively during the presentation.

For more category ideas, read the guide to football awards for Best on Ground, Top Scorer and Club Champion.

Junior AFL trophies: keep recognition clear and age-appropriate

Junior presentations often include more recipients and place greater emphasis on participation, improvement and enjoyment.

A practical junior award structure may use:

• Medals for participation or team membership

• Compact football trophies for team awards

• Coordinated medium trophies for Most Improved and Coaches’ Awards

• Larger or distinctive trophies for Best and Fairest

• A team cup for a premiership result

The award should be easy for a young recipient to carry and display. Bright club colours, football figures and logo inserts can provide strong sporting relevance without requiring an oversized trophy.

Categories should also be understandable to players and parents. If several awards appear to recognise the same qualities, simplify the program or explain the criteria more clearly.

Senior AFL trophies: reflect the level of competition

Senior presentations may call for a more formal appearance. Traditional cups, detailed football sculptures, timber shields, acrylic pieces, crystal awards and engraved plaques can all suit a senior setting.

The design hierarchy should make the major honours easy to identify:

1. Premiership or Club Champion trophy

2. Best and Fairest

3. Best on Ground or major performance award

4. Leading Goal Kicker

5. Coaches’, Players’ Player or Most Improved awards

6. Service and volunteer recognition

A consistent finish, base or logo element can connect the full range while allowing the premier categories to remain more prominent.

Customising AFL trophies and medals

Customisation turns a generic football award into a record of a particular season and club.

What should the engraving include?

For a team premiership trophy, consider:

• Competition or league name

• Premiership or championship title

• Club and team

• Division

• Season

For an individual player award, include:

• Recipient’s name

• Award category

• Club or team

• Division or age group

• Season

Keep wording concise enough to remain readable on the available engraving plate.

Add the club logo

Bayside Discount Trophies can incorporate sporting-club logos into suitable trophies and awards. A consistent logo treatment across cups, player trophies and medals can give the presentation a coordinated appearance.

Provide approved, high-quality artwork. A file supplied by the club’s designer, printer or uniform provider will usually reproduce more clearly than a small image copied from social media.

Use team colours thoughtfully

Club colours can appear through ribbons, inserts or suitable trophy components. Use the same colour references across all awards where possible.

Do not rely on colour alone to identify a placing or category. The achievement should also be stated clearly in the engraving.

Consider custom award design

A custom award may be appropriate for a major anniversary, significant premiership, long-running competition or distinctive club tradition. Allow sufficient time to discuss the concept, logo and required text before the presentation date.

Bayside Discount Trophies completes 100% of its engraving on-site at its Wynnum premises, providing direct control over personalisation and finished engraving.

Balancing quality, budget and quantities

A club can create an effective presentation without choosing the same premium design for every recipient.

Begin by dividing the order into levels:

• Major team awards: Premiership cup, championship trophy or perpetual shield

• Major player awards: Best and Fairest, Club Champion and grand final Best on Ground

• Supporting player awards: Leading Goal Kicker, Rising Star, Most Improved and Coaches’ Award

• Team recognition: Player medals or smaller trophies

• Participation: Junior medals, trophies or ribbons where appropriate

Allocate the most prominent designs to awards carrying the greatest significance. Coordinated smaller trophies or medals can then support the major pieces.

Always count recipients before selecting products. A club ordering one championship cup has different requirements from a program recognising several junior teams and every premiership player.

Ordering checklist for clubs and leagues

Before approving the order, confirm:

1. Every award category and its selection criteria

2. The number of teams, divisions and recipients

3. Which awards remain with the club

4. Which awards are given to players permanently

5. The size hierarchy for major and supporting categories

6. The final engraving format

7. Correct spelling of names, teams and divisions

8. Approved club-logo artwork

9. The presentation date

10. Local pickup or delivery arrangements

Use a spreadsheet with one award per row and ask another committee member to review all recipient information.

The Bayside Discount Trophies FAQs provide further information about ordering, engraving, local collection and delivery.

Common mistakes to avoid

Selecting a generic football design from the wrong code

Confirm that the figure and ball represent Australian Rules. An oval ball alone may not be enough if the player pose clearly relates to another code.

Ordering before the award list is final

Confirm categories, quantities and recipients before submitting engraving information. Several competing versions of a spreadsheet can lead to confusion.

Choosing every trophy by height

A taller trophy is not automatically more appropriate. Compare the design, materials, stability, engraving area and relevance to the achievement.

Forgetting future winners

If the trophy is perpetual, make sure there is enough space for future plates and establish a consistent engraving format from the first year.

Treating individual and team awards as interchangeable

A premiership cup recognises collective success. Best and Fairest, Best on Ground and Rising Star recognise different individual achievements and should have clearly defined criteria.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a premiership trophy and a perpetual trophy?

A premiership trophy recognises the winning team for a particular season. A perpetual trophy is presented repeatedly and records new winners over several years. One award can perform both roles if it remains with the club or league.

Should every premiership player receive a medal?

That is determined by the club or competition. Many organisations use a main team trophy alongside player medals, but eligibility and quantities should be confirmed before ordering.

What should be engraved on an AFL premiership trophy?

Include the competition, premiership title, club or team, division and season. Avoid unnecessary wording that makes the plate difficult to read.

Can junior and senior clubs use matching awards?

Yes. Coordinated designs can create consistency across the club, while different sizes or finishes distinguish junior, senior and major championship categories.

Can AFL trophies be delivered outside Brisbane?

Yes. Bayside Discount Trophies serves Brisbane and Queensland customers and offers Australia-wide delivery. Local collection is available from the Wynnum showroom.

Select awards that tell the story of the season

Well-planned AFL premiership trophies recognise both the team result and the people behind it. Start with a clear championship trophy, add medals where individual keepsakes are required and select player awards with distinct criteria.

Match the size and style to the importance of each achievement, confirm every engraving detail and use club logos and colours consistently across the range.

Bayside Discount Trophies is an Australian family-owned business operated by Nicole, with more than 17 years serving Brisbane. Clubs can browse the range of sports trophies or contact the Bayside team to discuss premiership cups, player awards, medals, custom designs and on-site engraving. Local pickup and Australia-wide delivery are available.