Netball Awards for Best & Fairest, MVP and Club Champion: Our Staff Picks

Choosing the right netball awards starts with understanding what each category represents. A Best & Fairest award generally recognises consistent performance and sportsmanship across the season, an MVP award celebrates the player who made the greatest contribution to their team, and a Club Champion award usually acknowledges outstanding achievement across the broader club.

Although these titles may sound similar, they do not always reward the same qualities. Clearly defining each award helps selectors make fair decisions and gives every trophy greater meaning when it is presented.

Whether you are organising a junior team celebration, school presentation or senior club awards night, the following guide will help you choose suitable trophies, engraving and presentation options for each category.

What Is the Difference Between Best & Fairest, MVP and Club Champion?

Every club can set its own criteria, so there is no universal definition that must be followed. However, these awards commonly recognise different aspects of a player’s season.

Best & Fairest

The Best & Fairest award typically combines playing ability with conduct. It may recognise a player who:

• Performs consistently throughout the season
• Demonstrates skill and sound decision-making
• Plays within the rules and spirit of the game
• Shows respect towards teammates, opponents and officials
• Contributes positively during training and matches

Some clubs determine the winner through umpire votes, while others use votes from coaches or an appointed selection panel. Whatever method is chosen, it should be established before the season begins and applied consistently.

Most Valuable Player

A netball MVP award recognises the player considered most valuable to the team’s overall performance. This does not necessarily mean the player who scored the most goals or received the most centre-pass possessions.

An MVP might be a defender who repeatedly creates turnovers, a midcourter who links both ends of the court or a player whose composure helps the team perform under pressure. Reliability, leadership, versatility and influence on team results may all form part of the decision.

Club Champion

Club Champion is often one of the highest individual honours presented by a netball club. Depending on the club’s structure, it might recognise the leading player in a particular age group, division or across the entire organisation.

The selection criteria may include:

• Performance across the full season
• Consistency at training and matches
• Leadership and club involvement
• Sportsmanship
• Contribution to team and club culture
• Representation at association or higher levels

Because Club Champion is generally regarded as a major annual honour, many organisations choose a prominent individual trophy together with a perpetual award that records each year’s recipient.

Choosing the Right Netball Trophy for Each Award

The physical award should reflect the importance of the achievement while still fitting comfortably within the club’s overall presentation budget.

Burswood Trophies offers a dedicated range of netball trophies, including traditional sporting designs and more contemporary award styles.

Best & Fairest Trophy Ideas

A classic netball trophy featuring a ball, player or netball-themed insert makes the category immediately recognisable. Clubs presenting awards across several teams can use the same design in different sizes to create a coordinated presentation.

For a senior or club-wide Best & Fairest award, a larger cup, glass award, plaque or custom-manufactured trophy can provide additional distinction.

MVP Award Ideas

An MVP trophy does not have to feature a sport-specific figure. A modern glass award, elegant cup or achievement-style trophy can make the honour feel distinct from participation and positional awards.

The design should complement the tone of the event. A traditional cup may suit a long-established club, while a contemporary glass award may be appropriate for a modern presentation night.

Club Champion Trophy Ideas

Club Champion awards often suit a larger cup, shield, plaque or premium trophy. If the title is awarded annually, consider pairing the recipient’s individual award with one of the available perpetual trophies.

The perpetual trophy remains with the club and carries the names of successive winners. The recipient can also receive a smaller personalised trophy to keep. This approach preserves club history while ensuring each winner has a lasting reminder of the achievement.

Other Netball Awards Worth Considering

Best & Fairest, MVP and Club Champion may be the major honours, but a thoughtful awards program can recognise different kinds of contribution across the team.

Depending on the age group and level of competition, suitable categories may include:

• Coaches’ Award
• Players’ Player
• Most Improved
• Best Defensive Player
• Best Attacking Player
• Leading Goal Shooter
• Most Consistent
• Team Spirit Award
• Rising Star
• Volunteer or Club Person of the Year

Clubs do not need to create an award for every possible achievement. Too many overlapping categories can reduce the significance of the main honours. Choose awards that reflect your club’s values and can be judged using clear, meaningful criteria.

For junior teams, recognition can focus on development, effort, teamwork and enjoyment rather than match statistics alone.

How to Personalise Netball Awards

Engraving turns a standard trophy into a record of a particular player, season and achievement. Before submitting an order, prepare a spreadsheet or clearly formatted list containing the exact wording required for every award.

Useful engraving details may include:

• Player’s full name
• Award title
• Team or club name
• Age group or division
• Season or presentation year
• Club logo, where suitable

For example:

Jordan Taylor

A Grade Best & Fairest

Burswood Netball Club – 2026

Check the spelling of every player’s name and confirm the preferred formatting of age groups, divisions and club names. It is also important to decide whether your club uses “Best & Fairest” or “Best and Fairest” so the wording remains consistent across all awards.

At Burswood Trophies, personalisation is completed in-house using services that include laser engraving, dye sublimation, glass etching, hand engraving and full-colour glass printing. The most suitable method will depend on the award’s material, available engraving area and desired appearance.

Creating a Coordinated Awards Range

A presentation table looks more polished when the awards feel like part of the same collection. This does not mean every trophy must be identical.

One practical approach is to:

1. Select a premium design for Club Champion.
2. Choose a related style for Best & Fairest and MVP.
3. Use smaller versions or complementary designs for positional and team awards.
4. Use consistent engraving layouts throughout the range.
5. Add netball medals for participation or tournament recognition where appropriate.

Burswood Trophies offers netball cups and netball medals alongside traditional trophies, making it possible to build an awards range for different levels of recognition.

Practical Ordering Tips for Netball Clubs

Award orders are easier to manage when planning begins before the final round of the season.

Confirm Categories Early

Approve the award categories and selection criteria before voting begins. This helps avoid duplicated awards or disagreements about what each title is intended to recognise.

Estimate Quantities

Prepare a list of teams, age groups and divisions. Include coach, volunteer or service awards if they will be part of the same order.

Select Awards Before Winners Are Known

You can often choose the designs and quantities before the recipients have been decided. Final names can then be supplied once voting or selection is complete.

Check Every Engraving Detail

Ask a second person to proofread names, award titles and dates. A simple checklist can prevent errors from carrying across an entire club order.

Consider the Presentation Sequence

Arrange awards in the order they will be presented and ensure the presenter can easily identify each one. If similar trophy designs are being used, discreet labels or an organised presentation table can help avoid confusion.

Perth customers can visit the Burswood showroom at Unit 5, 285 Great Eastern Highway to browse options and discuss their requirements. Customers elsewhere in Australia can explore the online range or view the available award catalogues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few preventable mistakes can make an awards program less effective:

• Using overlapping criteria for Best & Fairest and MVP
• Selecting winners without an agreed voting process
• Leaving trophy selection and engraving until the last moment
• Submitting player names without checking their spelling
• Forgetting to include the team, division or season
• Choosing an award without checking whether the engraving area suits the required wording
• Ordering a perpetual trophy without planning how it will be stored and updated

Clear criteria and an organised award list make the process easier for selectors, team managers and the trophy supplier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the same player win Best & Fairest and MVP?

Yes, if the club’s rules allow it. However, clubs should decide in advance whether one player can receive multiple major awards or whether each honour should go to a different recipient.

Should Club Champion be a perpetual trophy?

It does not have to be, but a perpetual trophy is a useful way to preserve the history of an important annual award. Many clubs also give the winner an individual trophy to keep.

What should be engraved on a netball trophy?

The most useful details are the recipient’s name, award title, team or division, club name and season. Keep the wording concise enough to remain clear and readable.

Are medals suitable for major netball awards?

Medals can suit tournaments, junior presentations and participation recognition. For a major annual honour such as Club Champion, clubs often prefer a trophy, cup, plaque, shield or glass award with greater visual distinction.

Can our club use its logo on the awards?

Logo personalisation may be possible depending on the chosen product, artwork and printing or engraving method. Discuss the design with the supplier before finalising the order.

Celebrate Every Contribution to the Season

Well-planned netball awards do more than identify the strongest player. They recognise consistency, leadership, sportsmanship, improvement and the different contributions required to build a successful team.

By defining each category clearly, selecting an award that reflects its importance and carefully checking the personalisation, your club can create a presentation that feels fair and memorable.

Burswood Trophies has served customers since 2000 and is operated by husband-and-wife team Mick and Charmaine Rogers. With more than 30 years of involvement in sporting clubs, the team understands the practical details involved in organising club awards. Browse the netball trophy range or contact Burswood Trophies to discuss personalised or custom awards for your next netball presentation.