Trophies and Plaques for a Slo-Pitch or Ball Hockey Tournament: The Organizer's Guide

A slo-pitch, cosom hockey or ball hockey tournament makes for an intense weekend for organizers. The awards, however, should not be a source of stress. Well prepared, they leave players with a lasting memory and add value to your event from one year to the next. Start by defining your categories. For a typical tournament, awards go to the champions and finalists of each division, and sometimes to consolation teams. Add individual honours: most valuable player, best goaltender, rookie of the year, sportsmanship. These cost little and are often the ones people talk about most after the tournament. Next, choose the format. A nicely sized team trophy displays well in a club room or a sponsoring bar. For players, an engraved medal or a small individual trophy is a more personal keepsake. If your tournament has many participants, pairing a large trophy for the champion team with medals for each player helps you keep the budget under control. Personalization makes the difference. Add the tournament name, the year, the division and, if possible, the logo of your league or sponsors. A polished design also showcases your partners, which makes it easier to find sponsorship the following year. For a recurring tournament, plan for interchangeable plates or a perpetual trophy on which the winner's name is engraved each season. As for timing, place your order at least three to four weeks before the event. That leaves time to approve the proof, fix a typo and receive the order without a last-minute rush. Also plan a small quantity margin: a team that registers at the last minute or a forgotten player does happen. One last tip: confirm the spelling of team and sponsor names before engraving. It is the most frequent mistake, and the easiest to avoid. At Mr Trophée, in Léry, we laser-engrave and color-print trophies, medals and plaques for tournaments across Quebec, with a best price guaranteed in Canada. You can pick up your order at the workshop or have it delivered. Contact us with your number of teams and your budget, and we will suggest a set that fits.