Perpetual trophies explained

What is a perpetual trophy?

A perpetual trophy is an award that stays with the club, school or organisation instead of going home with the winner. Each year, the winner's name is engraved on the trophy, so it slowly builds a record of past champions. The winner is often given a smaller keeper trophy or medal to take home.

How the engraving works

Most perpetual trophies carry small plates on a base or column. Each year, a new plate is engraved with the winner's name and the year, and attached to the trophy. Over time the trophy fills with plates, and some clubs add a larger plate or an extra base when they run out of room.

Because the plates are added across many years, consistent lettering matters. Computerised diamond drag engraving helps keep the lettering consistent on perpetual trophies, year after year. We price perpetual engraving per plate rather than per letter, which helps clubs budget.

Starting a perpetual trophy

1. Choose the award. Pick the award that deserves a lasting record, such as best and fairest, club champion or dux.
2. Choose the trophy. Look for a design with plenty of room for plates, such as a cup on a tall base. Our perpetual trophies range and cups are good places to start.
3. Decide the wording format. Settle on one format for every plate, such as the year, then the winner's name.
4. Engrave past winners. If your club has a history, we can engrave plates for earlier winners so the record starts complete.

Looking after a perpetual trophy

• Keep the trophy in a safe place between presentations, and pass it between officials in a protective box.
• Keep a record of the winners separately, in case a plate is damaged or lost.
• Send us the trophy a few weeks before presentation night so the new plate is ready on time.

When a trophy runs out of room

When a base is full, a new base, an extra plate row or a new perpetual trophy can continue the record. Talk to us before you run out of space and we will suggest an option.