Following on from our blog post on the Top 10 Non-Sporting Awards and Trophies, we wanted to share what we think are the top 10 Sporting Trophies as well. So we've been asking around the staff here at Trophy Store to see what people think and here is what we came up with.
Sport plays a vital part in many people’s lives and those who compete in various sporting events are aiming to win a trophy for all the effort they put into their training and playing. There are many sporting trophies and awards that not only teams but individuals would like to be presented with. Below we take a look at what we consider to be the top 10 sporting trophies or awards.
1. The FA Cup – For some football teams this is the most prestigious trophy that they can be presented with. For the fans it is a chance to go out and watch their team play at the most famous football ground in England, namely Wembley. It also gives smaller teams the chance to play against large professional teams as the competition is open to amateur teams as well. We have written an article on the FA Cup Trophy if you'd like to learn more.
2. The Stanley Cup – This is the trophy that all teams involved in the National Hockey League in the USA want to win. It is one of the largest trophies presented these days measuring a total of 89.5 cm high and weighing a total of 34.5lbs (15.5kg). It is presented at the end of the NHL Playoffs to the team that wins them. Last year it was won by the Pittsburgh Penguins and their Captain Sidney Crosby is the youngest one to ever win it being only 21 years old.
3. The Jules Rimet Trophy – It was originally called the Coupe de Monde but FIFA the governing body of Football world wide chose to rename it in 1946 in honour of their Chairman at the time. Since the first one was presented in 1930 to Uruguay it has been stolen twice. The first time was in 1966 prior to the World Cup commencing that year and then again in 1983. However this type the trophy was not found and so FIFA had a replica made which was then presented to Brazil who had won it in 1970 for the third time.
4. Football World Cup – Following Brazil being presented with the Jules Rimet Trophy after winning the Football World Cup for the third time a new model was commissioned. This was then presented to Germany who won the competition in 1974. This trophy weighs just over 13lbs (6kg). Five of these trophies have been made and each one is crafted from 18 carat solid gold.
5. The European Cup – For any football team that participates in the various leagues across Europe holding this trophy up is the ultimate prize. This is because not only are they competing against teams from their own country but those from football leagues in other European countries. Since its inception there have been several teams who have been able to keep the trophy if they win it five times or three times in a row. Teams who have the trophy in their cabinet permanently include Liverpool and AC Milan.
6. America’s Cup – This is the oldest sporting trophy on our top 10 sporting trophies or awards list. It was first lifted back in 1851 and although it is a trophy that everybody knows it isn’t a sport that many people choose to watch although those who do watch sailing tend to take part too.
7. The Ryder Cup – For any professional golfer in Europe or the USA being asked to compete for this trophy is very special. The first time it was presented to the winning team was in 1927 and since then has been presented a further 37 times. It is one of the smallest trophies on this list measuring 17 inches tall by 9 inches wide.
8. The Men’s Singles Wimbledon Trophy - This was first presented in 1887 and is one of the most recognizable of all trophies that people who enjoy the sport of tennis recognize. There are several players who have had the opportunity to raise the trophy aloft more than one including Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg. You can read more about this famous trophy in our article on the Wimbledon Trophy.
9. The Ashes – Although this is a trophy that only two teams are competing for it is very important to them. This is the smallest of all trophies that the England or Australian cricket team will be presented with should they win the competition. However, the actual trophy as small wooden urn is kept in the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) Museum. The team that wins gets presented with a crystal version of this trophy. You can read more information on the story behind the Ashes Trophy here.
10. The Challenge Cup – This is presented to the top Rugby League team. Each year the team that wins the trophy are allowed to retain the trophy until the following years final. At present the trophy resides in the cabinet of Rugby League team Warrington Wolves following their beating Huddersfield Giants at Wembley in 2009.