PARTICIPATION TROPHIES
1
I’ve been playing soccer since I was 4 years old. I’ve played in countless soccer games
and dozens of tournaments. Regardless of where we finished, at the end of the season or
tournament, we would receive participation trophies or medals. Up until the age of 7, I always
thought these trophies were for doing good or winning. I came to understand that I was literally
receiving these trophies for essentially showing up, I grew a hatred for getting a trophy or medal
for coming in second or losing. When it comes to sports, my dad has always encouraged me to
compete and to want more than to just participate even at a young age. He wants me to maximize
my talent and make an impact as a player, a teammate and a leader, both on and off the field. It
drove me and still drives me to want to improve and earn what I deserve and not be rewarded for
simply showing up. Essentially, if we continue to permit young kids to be rewarded with trophies
