The practice of presenting trophies for sporting achievements can be traced back to the mid 18th century. Any winners of competitions and tournaments before then were likely to be awarded land or money. Sporting trophies became more common as symbols of victory and some still endure today. Here are a couple of the most famous:
The Challenge Cup has been competed for annually since 1896. Considered as one of Rugby Football League’s most prestigious awards, the trophy was designed by Fattorini & Sons of Bradford. Standing 36 inches high and made of solid silver, the ebony base is approximately eight inches high. When it’s not locked in a cabinet, the winners must ensure that the trophy is always in someone’s presence, and this includes overnight stays. When taken in a car, two people must be in attendance and when on a plane the trophy must have it’s own seat.
The Stanley Cup is presented to the winners of the National Hockey League, and was first awarded to Montreal HC in 1893. Weighing in at 15.5 kilograms, and a height of 89.5 centimetres the current Stanley Cup was designed in 1958. The tradition of engraving the names of all team members, coaches, club staff and management on the bands surrounding the original chalice, caused the trophy to grow to an unmanageable size. Nowadays the engraved bands can be replaced as they are filled, with the full band preserved at the Hockey Hall Of Fame.
H Cooper Glass Engravers can supply engraved crystal trophies and glass awards for any sporting competition to help create new traditions and annual events.
