How to Choose an AFL Trophy for Your Next Awards Presentation

13/11/2026

Choosing the right AFL trophy is an important part of planning a memorable Australian rules football awards presentation. Whether you’re celebrating a premiership, recognising your club’s best and fairest player or thanking volunteers for their contribution, a well-chosen award helps capture the achievement.

The best trophy isn’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive. It should suit the award category, reflect the character of your club and include personalisation that makes it meaningful to the recipient.

For junior football teams, community sporting clubs and senior competitions, balancing quality, design, budget and presentation is essential.

This guide explains how to choose AFL trophies for different achievements, compare award styles and organise engraving and presentation details before your event.

What Makes a Good AFL Trophy?

A good AFL trophy should represent the achievement being recognised while remaining practical for the person receiving it.

Before selecting an award, consider:

• The achievement: Is it for a premiership, individual performance, participation or contribution to the club?

• The recipient: Are you recognising junior players, senior athletes, coaches or volunteers?

• The design: Does the award suit Australian rules football and your club’s identity?

• The personalisation: Is there enough room for the recipient’s name, award title and season?

• The budget: Can you maintain a consistent standard across all award categories?

An impressive premiership cup might be appropriate for a senior team’s major achievement, while smaller personalised trophies or medals may work better for junior participation awards.

The aim is to select awards that feel proportionate to the occasion without overlooking the people who make the club successful.

Choose AFL Trophies Based on Award Categories

Different achievements deserve different forms of recognition. Planning your award categories first can make choosing the right trophies much easier.

Best and Fairest Awards

The best and fairest award is a major individual recognition in Australian rules football.

For this category, consider a substantial trophy, glass award or engraved shield that communicates the significance of the achievement.

A personalised award could include the player’s name, club name, season and award title.

If your club presents the award annually, a perpetual trophy or shield can also create a tradition that connects recipients across different seasons.

Leading Goal Kicker Awards

Leading goal kicker awards recognise offensive performance throughout the season.

A trophy incorporating Australian rules football imagery can make the award immediately relevant to the sport.

Alternatively, a contemporary glass award or traditional cup with a personalised engraving plate can provide a more understated appearance.

Most Improved Player Awards

Improvement deserves recognition, particularly at junior and community level.

These awards celebrate commitment, development and progress rather than simply rewarding the most experienced or naturally talented players.

A modestly sized but thoughtfully engraved trophy can communicate the importance of persistence and effort.

Coaches’ Awards and Team Spirit

Not every significant contribution appears on the scoreboard.

Coaches’ awards, team spirit awards and club person awards can recognise leadership, reliability, sportsmanship and commitment.

Plaques and shields are suitable options because they provide a traditional presentation surface for names and recognition messages.

Explore the shields collection at VB Trophies for examples of formal presentation styles.

Premiership and Team Achievement Awards

A premiership celebration often calls for a prominent centrepiece.

A classic presentation cup can provide a strong visual focus during the awards ceremony and become a lasting part of the club’s history.

For clubs ordering individual recognition awards alongside a team trophy, matching smaller trophies or medals can help maintain a coordinated appearance.

VB Trophies offers a selection of presentation cups that may provide a starting point when comparing suitable styles.

Which AFL Trophy Style Should You Choose?

There are several practical award styles worth considering for an Australian rules football presentation.

Trophy style	Suitable recognition
Traditional cups	Premierships, championships and major club achievements
Plaques and shields	Best and fairest, annual awards and club service recognition
Glass and crystal awards	Major individual awards and formal presentation nights
Multisport trophies	Junior awards, individual achievements and general recognition
Personalised medals	Participation, tournaments and team-wide recognition

Traditional Cups

Traditional cups remain popular because they have a familiar appearance associated with sporting achievement.

They work particularly well when the presentation includes an important team award or annual club honour.

When selecting a cup, check the base size, weight and available engraving area.

Modern Glass and Crystal Awards

Glass and crystal awards offer a contemporary alternative to traditional sporting trophies.

They can be appropriate for senior recognition events, club leadership awards or important individual achievements.

Consider how the engraving will appear against the award’s surface and whether a logo or additional artwork can be incorporated.

Multisport Trophies

Not every football award needs a sport-specific figurine.

General sporting trophies with suitable engraving can work effectively for AFL presentations, particularly when the emphasis is on the recipient’s achievement.

VB Trophies has a dedicated collection of multisport awards featuring a variety of styles suitable for different recognition occasions.

For an AFL-specific design, confirm that the artwork represents Australian rules football rather than association football or American football.

Choosing the Right Size and Material

Trophy size should reflect the achievement and the way the award will be presented.

A large trophy may make sense as a premiership centrepiece, but it can be impractical for a junior player who needs to carry it home.

Smaller awards can also be easier to store and display.

Common trophy materials include resin, metal, glass, crystal and timber-based components.

Each offers different visual and practical characteristics.

Resin awards can accommodate detailed decorative shapes and suit a range of sporting presentations.

Metal cups and finishes provide a traditional sporting appearance and can suit more formal awards.

Glass and crystal awards offer a clean, contemporary look that often suits major individual recognition.

Timber plaques and shields create a classic appearance for club honours and ongoing recognition.

Rather than choosing by appearance alone, consider durability, weight, the engraving surface and how the finished award will be displayed.

Personalising Your AFL Trophy

Personalisation is one of the most effective ways to transform a standard sporting award into a meaningful keepsake.

Include the Right Engraving Details

For most football awards, the essential information is straightforward:

• Recipient’s name

• Club or team name

• Award category

• Season or presentation year

For example, an engraving could read:

RIVERBANK FOOTBALL CLUB
BEST AND FAIREST
Jordan Smith
Season 2026

This is an illustrative example rather than a real club or recipient.

Keeping the message concise makes the inscription easier to read and reduces the risk of overcrowding a small engraving plate.

Consider Your Club Logo and Colours

A club crest can help make the trophy feel more distinctive.

Where supported by the selected product, logo personalisation can strengthen the connection between the award and the team presenting it.

For AFL presentations, appropriate imagery might include an oval football, goalposts or an authorised club emblem.

Avoid relying on generic round-ball football artwork if the award is intended for Australian rules football.

If using an official league or club logo, ensure you have the necessary permission to reproduce it.

Check Artwork Before Ordering

Review names, award categories, spelling and dates carefully.

Where logos are involved, provide clear artwork that remains readable at the intended size.

VB Trophies provides in-house engraving, laser engraving and logo personalisation services. Customers can enquire about which methods are suitable for their chosen awards.

Planning AFL Awards for Junior Football Clubs

Junior football presentation nights have different priorities from senior competitions.

Recognising participation, development and positive behaviour can be just as important as celebrating individual performance.

Depending on the club’s approach, award categories might include:

• Team participation

• Most improved player

• Coaches’ award

• Best teammate

• Sportsmanship

• Leadership

• Milestone achievements

For larger groups, medals can provide a practical and consistent way to recognise every participant.

Clubs can browse personalised medals and consider whether coordinating medal ribbons are suitable for their presentation.

For junior players, the wording on the award often matters more than its physical size.

A trophy that clearly identifies a personal achievement can become an important reminder of the player’s progress and involvement in the team.

How to Plan Your AFL Trophy Budget

A club’s award budget should account for the full presentation rather than the cost of each trophy in isolation.

Start by identifying the number of recipients in each category.

Separate major individual awards from team recognition and participation awards.

Then consider the following:

Major awards: Allocate an appropriate share of the budget to premierships, best and fairest awards and other significant achievements.

Individual awards: Select a consistent trophy style where several players will receive comparable recognition.

Participation awards: Consider medals or smaller trophies when recognising larger groups.

Personalisation: Include the cost of any engraving, logos or specialist artwork.

Accessories and delivery: Account for ribbons, presentation boxes and shipping where required.

Choosing one coordinated range with different sizes can help create a clear distinction between major and supporting awards.

Before finalising the budget, confirm what is included with each product and whether personalisation costs vary.

Ordering AFL Trophies: A Practical Checklist

Preparing award details early can make the process much easier.

Step 1: Confirm Your Award Categories

Create a complete list of trophies, medals and special presentations.

Include awards for players, coaches, volunteers and other club contributors where applicable.

Step 2: Decide on Quantities

Confirm the number required for each award type.

Check whether additional medals or spare awards may be needed.

Step 3: Select Suitable Designs

Compare traditional cups, plaques, shields and multisport trophies.

If an Australian rules football-specific design is essential, discuss the artwork and customisation requirements before committing to a product.

Step 4: Prepare Personalisation Details

Collect recipient names, award categories, season information and logos.

Use a consistent format to reduce spelling mistakes and confusion between similar awards.

Step 5: Confirm the Event Date and Delivery

Discuss stock availability, personalisation requirements and delivery arrangements with the supplier.

Allow sufficient time for artwork review and any corrections.

For customers ordering from Australia, confirm international shipping availability, costs and the expected delivery schedule before placing an order with a UK-based supplier.

Step 6: Plan the Presentation

Organise trophies in the order they will be presented.

Check engraved names against the presentation schedule and ensure each award is correctly matched to its recipient.

These final checks can prevent awkward mistakes during an otherwise well-organised celebration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common ordering mistakes are easy to prevent.

Choosing the wrong football imagery: Australian rules football has its own recognisable equipment and visual identity. Check that the design is suitable rather than assuming any football trophy will work.

Leaving engraving until the last minute: Collect recipient information early and confirm spellings before production.

Overlooking trophy size: A design that looks substantial in a product photograph may be smaller than expected. Check dimensions before ordering.

Ignoring the full budget: Engraving, accessories and shipping may affect the total cost.

Using inconsistent award wording: Keep club names, season details and award titles consistent across the presentation.

Ordering without checking international delivery: When purchasing from an overseas supplier, confirm the arrangements and any additional costs in advance.

A little planning can help create a more polished and enjoyable awards night.

Frequently Asked Questions About AFL Trophies

What types of trophies are suitable for AFL awards?

Traditional cups, engraved shields, plaques, glass awards and multisport trophies can all suit Australian rules football presentations. The best option depends on the achievement, recipient, budget and preferred design.

Can an AFL trophy be personalised with a club logo?

Many sports awards can accommodate engraving or logo personalisation, depending on their design. Confirm artwork requirements and available printing or engraving methods with the supplier before ordering.

What trophies should junior AFL clubs choose?

Junior clubs often benefit from a combination of individual achievement trophies and participation medals. Recognising improvement, teamwork and sportsmanship can help make the presentation meaningful for a wider group of players.

Can I order AFL trophies from VB Trophies in the UK?

VB Trophies offers a broad selection of sporting awards and can supply customers internationally. Australian customers should enquire directly about suitable designs, AFL-specific customisation and delivery arrangements before placing an order.

How early should AFL trophies be ordered?

Start planning well ahead of the presentation date, especially when multiple trophies require individual engraving. Production schedules depend on stock, award design and personalisation, so confirm the required timeframe with the supplier.

Make Your Next AFL Awards Presentation Memorable

A successful AFL awards presentation is about recognising the people and achievements that have shaped the season.

Choosing the right trophy means considering the occasion, selecting a suitable design, organising accurate engraving and making sure every recipient receives recognition that feels personal.

Whether you’re planning a junior football presentation, celebrating a premiership or honouring a long-serving club volunteer, thoughtful award selection can make the occasion more meaningful.

Established in 1981, VB Trophies has extensive experience supplying sporting awards and personalised recognition products. Based in Royston, Hertfordshire, the business offers in-house engraving, a broad online catalogue and services for customers in the UK and internationally.

Explore the sports trophies available at VB Trophies or contact the team to discuss suitable awards, engraving options and any Australian rules football-specific requirements for your next presentation.