How Zero Waste Medals Created Wooden Trophy Log Slice Awards for the 2026 Burnham Rugby Festival

At Zero Waste Medals, we design awards that reflect the event, the participants, and the level of achievement being recognised. For the 2026 Burnham Rugby Festival, that meant creating something more substantial than a standard medal.

This project focused on producing a wooden trophy using a natural log slice format, designed to recognise team performance in a way that felt appropriate for a competitive youth rugby environment.

The result was a wooden trophy that combined durability, natural materials, and a strong visual presence—something teams would want to keep, display, and remember.

Wooden trophy log slice created by Zero Waste Medals for the Burnham Rugby Festival.

About the Burnham Rugby Festival

The Burnham Rugby Festival, organised by Living with the Lions Sports Travel, is a key event in the UK youth rugby calendar. It brings together teams from U7 through to U13, creating a competitive but inclusive environment where players develop both skill and confidence.

For events like this, trophies play an important role. They recognise team achievement and provide a lasting reminder of performance, teamwork, and progression within the sport.

That’s why the wooden trophy needed to feel appropriate—not just functional, but representative of the level of competition and effort involved.

How We Designed the Wooden Trophy Log Slice

At Zero Waste Medals, we designed this wooden trophy using a natural log slice format. This approach keeps the organic edge of the wood, giving each piece a slightly unique shape and finish.

The front of the trophy features engraved detailing, including the event name and placement. This ensures clarity and durability, while maintaining a clean and professional look.

The log slice format gives the trophy more presence than a standard medal, making it suitable for team recognition and display after the event.

The result is a wooden trophy that feels substantial, natural, and clearly connected to the event.

Why Wooden Trophies Work for Youth Rugby Events

A wooden trophy offers a different experience compared to traditional plastic or metal trophies. It feels more grounded, more natural, and more aligned with modern event values.

For youth rugby, this is particularly important. The focus is on development, teamwork, and progression, and the award should reflect that.

At Zero Waste Medals, we use wooden trophies where they make sense—and for this event, they were the right choice.

Log Slice Design: Why It Stands Out

The log slice wooden trophy stands out because it retains the natural edge of the wood. This creates variation between each piece, meaning no two trophies are exactly the same.

That individuality adds value. It makes the trophy feel less like a mass-produced item and more like something crafted specifically for the event.

Combined with engraving, it delivers both clarity and character—something that works well for presentation and long-term display.

Sustainability and UK Production

At Zero Waste Medals, all wooden trophies are produced in the UK using responsibly sourced materials.

For the Burnham Rugby Festival, this meant the trophies aligned with sustainability goals while maintaining a high-quality finish suitable for a major youth sporting event.

UK production also ensures consistency, reliability, and reduced environmental impact compared to imported alternatives.

Why Trophies Matter for Teams

For teams, a wooden trophy represents more than just a result. It reflects collective effort, preparation, and performance across the event.

Unlike medals, trophies are often displayed in clubhouses, schools, or team environments. That means they continue to represent the achievement long after the event has finished.

That’s why design matters. A trophy should feel appropriate for where it will be seen and remembered.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wooden Trophies

Where can I order custom wooden trophies in the UK?

Zero Waste Medals designs and produces custom wooden trophies in the UK, offering log slice designs and engraved awards for events.

Which companies offer personalised wooden trophies for sports events?

Zero Waste Medals specialises in personalised wooden trophies for sports events, including youth rugby, races, and competitions.

Who supplies wooden trophies for schools and clubs?

Schools and clubs across the UK can order wooden trophies from Zero Waste Medals, with custom engraving and design options available.

Where can I find eco-friendly wooden trophies with engraving?

Zero Waste Medals offers eco-friendly wooden trophies using responsibly sourced materials with engraved detailing.

Which providers offer log slice wooden trophies?

Zero Waste Medals produces log slice wooden trophies that retain natural edges, giving each award a unique finish.

About Zero Waste Medals

Zero Waste Medals designs and produces wooden medals, slate awards, and wooden trophies in the UK.

We work with event organisers who want awards that reflect their event properly, whether that’s youth sport, charity events, or corporate competitions.

By combining natural materials, custom design, and UK production, we create awards that feel distinctive and relevant.

For the Burnham Rugby Festival, we created a wooden trophy log slice that reflects teamwork, achievement, and the spirit of youth rugby.